Is Phil Helmuth a jerk?

#1 January 6th, 2010, 8:08 AM

When Phil Helmuth loses a hand to a donk call or bad beat he goes balistic. Is he really a jerk or is it a good publicity act?

#2 January 6th, 2010, 8:28 AM

In my opinion it's a little of both, he does it for TV but he's the type of guy that would go off on a donk even if he wasn't ranked a pro.

#3 January 6th, 2010, 8:29 AM

Originally Posted by LaMinaccia

In my opinion it's a little of both, he does it for TV but he's the type of guy that would go off on a donk even if he wasn't ranked a pro.

true that. Also he probably thinks he the best thing since bread. Phil Helmuth is egotistical.

#4 January 6th, 2010, 8:36 AM

i dunno, i think thats wot ppl portray him as these days, so yea abita both, prob is 50 jerk and 50 does it coz thats wot his known 4......

#5 January 6th, 2010, 12:48 PM

if he is as bad as he acts I feel sorry for his family

#6 January 6th, 2010, 2:57 PM

My guess is that its 60% act and 40% jacka$$. He tries to put people on tilt with his antics. He tries to make people believe he is on tilt. A lot of times he just gets out played.

Phil thinks he is a better player than he is. He thinks he should be the only one allowed to make moves. If he bluffs and wins he is a genius. If someone bluffs him, their an idiot. If he plays 8 2 offsuit, it is because he is so good. When he loses to the same hand, his opponent is the worst poker player ever.

#7 January 6th, 2010, 4:14 PM

Nah I kinda like phil his antics are what makes watching the WSOP and other events fun, and i always gotta sympathize with a guy who gets called by people for the sole aim of getting him to tilt (Ledrer calling his all in on a PAD?? with K8 to his 88 and spiking a king on the river clearly stating he just wanted to see Phil nerdrage lol)

As for thinking he is the best player, I do admire him as being among the best tournament players of his time though his cash game skillz are not in the same league. Actually prolly after Daniel Helmuth would be my second favourite poker pro.

#8 January 6th, 2010, 4:26 PM

at the tables, yes a jerk
away from the tables he is a very good guy from all reports.

#9 January 6th, 2010, 4:27 PM

i think he's just a really bad loser, hates losing, etc.

he usually apologizes for his antics after he has had some time to calm down

classic grizzle vs hellmuth "what if you're a goofball that just catches cards..."
YouTube- Phil Hellmuth and Sam Grizzle

#10 January 6th, 2010, 5:54 PM

He is the biggest jerk in poker, very possible by design to draw attention. Any one who treats people as he does could not be considered any other way.

#11 January 6th, 2010, 6:15 PM

i think he's head ballooned up and it's affected the circulation of blood getting to his brain cells, thus making him unable to rationlize the fact that he sometimes makes bad plays and therefore loses. hahahaha

#12 January 6th, 2010, 7:31 PM

I thought only little girls and spoiled women weree called "BRATS" Is Phil Helmuth a jerk?

#13 January 6th, 2010, 7:37 PM

his ego is huge so he feels anytime he loses its not because he played bad, its because his opponent did, so he tries to justify his play to everyone and talk about how his opponent just got lucky.

Having said that, all his peers say he is a baby at the table but one the the nicest guys away from it so its a hard call.

#14 January 6th, 2010, 8:04 PM

Originally Posted by tallseas

if he is as bad as he acts I feel sorry for his family

Of course he's as bad as he acts... lol... makes for good entertainment.

I don't feel sorry for his family at all... I've heard accounts from other poker pros that Phil is an excellent & very committed father.
OR how about the >> "Honey.. he's only got mid-pair.. we're way ahead here..." OR >> "Honey.... he called my bet with T4s. Can you even believe it... frk'n T4s...what a f'n IDioT... what a f'n donkey... T4s... can you believe this stuff?!?!?!?!" ... guessing she plays a bit of a motherly role with him, lol
Poor Phil.... you gotta like him (and maybe identify with him at times I'll sadly admit)

#15 January 6th, 2010, 8:05 PM

Originally Posted by CSuave

at the tables, yes a jerk
away from the tables he is a very good guy from all reports.

what he ^ said

#16 January 6th, 2010, 8:14 PM

I never really like Phil Hellmuth, but when he get angry at people I think its so funny because he can't stand losing. Once he learns how to lose a hand or anything he will be alright, but I think I prefer him being stupid the way he is LOL. Is Phil Helmuth a jerk?

#17 January 6th, 2010, 8:26 PM

Hey RK..
Not sure if he was like that before TV.. if so then, that is what he uses for one of his intimidation tactics to try and control a table... May have worked for awhile but everyone knows and he hasnt changed.
His Loss!! LOL

#18 January 6th, 2010, 8:32 PM

The video is halarious I didnt get to see much of the world series this year so I hadnt seen this but I did catch the one where Phil buys drinks for the guys friends and has a side bet on whos hand is better that was pretty funny and nice of Phil. But personally I still cant stand the guy.

#19 January 6th, 2010, 9:39 PM

definetly both...i mean they guy knows in poker your going to get a donk or 2 he's just letting them know it everytime he has a chance!As far as bad beats go hell sometimes i get a lil pissed....we all do the man is a competitor

#20 January 6th, 2010, 10:11 PM

[quote=Passion_play;1378026]Hey RK..
Not sure if he was like that before TV..

I was reading Mike Matusow's book "Check Raising the Devil" and he mentioned Phil a few times and some of his blow-ups. This was Pre- the poker boom. But he also goes onto say what a good person he is as well.

#21 January 6th, 2010, 10:18 PM

There are a lot of very good pro players who can't get sponsorship because nowadays you have to be a fairly good player and a celebrity to boot.

So all the top tv pros have an act and thats hellmuths.

Tv programs like HSP ans PAD don't just want good players they want players that make good entertainment.

Ask this question, who would you want to play against, hellmuth or ivey?

#22 January 6th, 2010, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by ROYALKNIGHT

Is Phil Hellmuth a jerk?

Does the sun come up everyday?

#23 January 6th, 2010, 10:31 PM

He is a jerk, but like people say - away from the table I'm sure he's not as much of a jerk. He might even be a nice guy. One thing's for sure - acting like a jerk at the table has helped earned him extra millions.

#24 January 6th, 2010, 11:50 PM

Phil gets out of line sometimes, but I believe he still have full control of his action. I don't know him personally, so I won't judge his "real" personality, but I know for sure that he's an excellent poker player.

#25 January 7th, 2010, 1:29 AM

That vid of him n sam grizzle is funny as, phil's just gettin it dished to him.... lmao

#26 January 7th, 2010, 2:02 AM

Originally Posted by ROYALKNIGHT

When Phil Helmuth loses a hand to a donk call or bad beat he goes balistic. Is he really a jerk or is it a good publicity act?

When he loses a hand to a good call or better hand all the way, he still goes balistic. I bet he has high blood pressure.

#27 January 7th, 2010, 2:52 AM

From all the comments, articles, books, etc. I've read from other players -- and from Phil himself -- it's both. As others mentioned, he has the reputation for being everybody's best friend away from the table, he's a "shirt off his back" kind of guy for any friend in need.

I think his antics now have a strategic element to them, but they're borne of a deep seated passion for the game that borders on an obsessive/compulsive disorder. He strives to play a "perfect" game and he expects others to as well, so he has zero patience for bad play, bad calls, suckouts, etc. He gets very emotional and caught up in it all, then blows up, but later he usually apologizes and expresses remorse. I've heard him say that he wishes he wasn't like that but he just can't help himself in the heat of the moment. Impulse takes over. I would not be surprised if there were some mental health or personality disorder type issues at play there, but everyone seems to say he's very well-adjusted away from the table so who knows exactly how much of it is a strategic image thing.

I used to hate him for it, but now I find it both sad and amusing. At the same time, it's also hard to feel too sorry for a multi-millionaire. And as virtually any celebrity PR person will tell you, there is no such thing as bad publicity. Is Phil Helmuth a jerk?

#28 January 7th, 2010, 3:03 AM

I dont think hes a jerk at all. Its part of an act that hes made money off of and is good at. Outside of the table hes a great family man and overall nice guy. People need to understand theres trash talk in poker. Just like in basketball.

Not a big deal. Thats why you see most people laugh and not say anything back to him. They let him rant.

Its entertainment.

#29 January 7th, 2010, 3:09 AM

dont mind the guy, cant argue with his WSOP stats. yes, it is an act most of the time. that sam grizzle part is even longer and they talk about the time they almost got in a fist fight. super funny shit.

#30 January 7th, 2010, 3:09 AM

Originally Posted by Deadly Silent

The video is halarious I didnt get to see much of the world series this year so I hadnt seen this but I did catch the one where Phil buys drinks for the guys friends and has a side bet on whos hand is better that was pretty funny and nice of Phil. But personally I still cant stand the guy.

thats from the 1990s

#31 January 7th, 2010, 3:14 AM

Originally Posted by liamkg

thats from the 1990s

No, that was from this year. There was people from Aruba who he bought drinks for.

#32 January 7th, 2010, 3:36 PM

Originally Posted by Passion_play

Hey RK..
Not sure if he was like that before TV.. if so then, that is what he uses for one of his intimidation tactics to try and control a table... May have worked for awhile but everyone knows and he hasnt changed.
His Loss!! LOL

lool in berry greenstein's book Ace On The River and in Phil Gordon's little green book phil acts pretty much exactly the same in the early 90s and before...

#33 January 7th, 2010, 6:09 PM

It's just a side of him, and the competition brings it out in him. And he's lucky to have it, and he knows it. So he uses it to his advantage in every way, shape, and form at the poker tables. With 11 bracelets, he's obviously not as out of control as he seems. It's partly frustration, but all showmanship. And the media & poker fans have come to expect it, just like John McEnroe ranting to the line ref. It's good for poker in general. But in 'real life', everything I read shows him to be a generous, congenial, funny, family man, and good friend.

BTW, anyone see the Celebrity Apprentice episode where Annie Duke called him on the phone and practically ripped him a new a$$hole after finding out he agreed to some donation or something after being approached by someone on her rival team (that Joan Rivers was on), unbeknowst to poor, benevolent Phil. He barely attempted a word in edgewise to her rant, like a dog cowering in fear with his tail between his legs. Is Phil Helmuth a jerk?

It was pretty damn funny. Is Phil Helmuth a jerk?

#34 January 7th, 2010, 6:21 PM

Thats just him being himself, he is a jerk when he is playing!

#35 January 7th, 2010, 7:26 PM

I think he just does it for the show. This is his "trademark". He shouldnt be taken seriously. Anyway he's a very good poker player.

#36 January 7th, 2010, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by AtiFCOD

I think he just does it for the show. This is his "trademark". He shouldnt be taken seriously. Anyway he's a very good poker player.

Probably, but i dunno, at that level you'd think he'd be good at something OTHER than holdem... all 11 bracelets in holdem...? I mean he probably would be considered at least near best in the world if he had some variety, like Ivey lol.

#37 January 7th, 2010, 11:43 PM

It might be a lot of editing, lol, there are a lot of spots they don't show on tv. His getting mad is good for Springer tv, I hope they get over showing that stuff, that is not why I watch the tourneys. I do think it gives him an advantage, a lot of players will play differently when he is in the hand.
He prides himself on his reads and is very upset when he reads it right and players suck out on him. Which of course is part of the game.
His wife is a phycologist isn't she? Definitely a good pairing. I know he does yoga and meditation to try and curb his outbursts.
He is a great player, noone can take that from him.

#38 January 8th, 2010, 4:43 AM

How many times have you wanted to go off on a donk.So he is a jerk because he speaks his mind. I let people know what I think if the make a bad call. I try not to be rude but sometimes I am. If I realize it was too rude I will say sorry.

#39 January 9th, 2010, 3:26 AM

Why oh why would you go off on someone that makes a bad play? Do you hate money? You want them to play only when they have you beat? Nothing pisses me off more than someone talking a donk into playing better, or worse yet, going to another table. You people that seek to educate players need to have your head tested.
As for Helmuth, I think it's a little of both, he likely started out a jerk, and found that people changed there play as a result, and became more predictable. So he's now got this huge reputation that he'll be all over you if you make a bad call, so people play more predictably against him, at least the amateurs do. If you ever watch Phil play against pros, you'll quickly recognize that he owes his success to beating amateurs, primarily the ones that play "proper poker" against him because they don't want to be victim to his antics.

#40 January 9th, 2010, 3:35 AM

Originally Posted by bammi

How many times have you wanted to go off on a donk.So he is a jerk because he speaks his mind. I let people know what I think if the make a bad call. I try not to be rude but sometimes I am. If I realize it was too rude I will say sorry.

Why? Why do you do this? Do you want them to play better? I used to do this awhile back.... sometimes when feeling disgusted by a fool's terribad call on a turn with nowhere near the odds for it... or impl.odds, etc. but really it serves zero positive purpose. It actually builds on my own biggest leak on the tables >>> getting emotionally involved. It's negative thru & thru.

These days I get upset if someone else on the table starts ripping into the donkey...... "they're messing with my money when they start doing that!" It's the donkey who's going to be paying me off..... and I appreciate their presence on the tables (or at least I try to in the midst of a terribad beat).
There's alot of jerks on the tables (online mirco limits especially). Playing without chat I find is far better.
On live tables I've never had to deal with jerkwads.... weighing in at 260lbs. at 5'10", sleeved up might be why.

I like Phil. He keeps it interesting.

#41 January 9th, 2010, 5:24 AM

Originally Posted by ROYALKNIGHT

Is he really a jerk or is it a good publicity act?

I don't think they're exclusive. If you're a jerk because it's your natural personality or you're a jerk for some calculated reason, you're still a jerk.

RF

#42 January 12th, 2010, 9:52 PM

Phil Hellmuth is a great player and i love watching him play, he give you a lot of entertainment because of his personality, i recon he really does use his blow ups as a strategy in a way to put his opponents off their game, lets look back to the wsop 2008 or 9 when he called this guy an idiot about 5 times and their was a big argument, that is then in the back of that players mind for the rest of the tournament, however i think phil has trained himself to put it behind him and concentrate back on his game.
adsthepro

#43 January 13th, 2010, 3:10 AM

The WSOP tourney results speak for themselves. Phil is a great tourney poker player. His tirades are mostly for show and to try and get someone off there game. On the other hand, with so many people just playing rags against him so they can say they took out hte great Phil Hellmuth I am sure some of his blow ups are real.

Anyway, I think he is the best.

#44 January 13th, 2010, 4:21 AM

Is a pigs @ss pork?

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Is Phil Helmuth a jerk?

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