They don't call Phil Hellmuth the Poker Brat for nothing. He is notorious for John McEnroe caliber meltdowns and storm-outs. Cursing cards, bad-mouthing opponents' play, trashing the very idea of luck, he unleashes profane tirades that are eye-grabbing sideshows on World Series of Poker telecasts.
Some believe that he went too far at last year's final table in the $10,000 buy-in seven-card stud championship at the Rio in Las Vegas. Enduring a bad run against Anthony Zinno, he stewed, fumbled chips and declared in a monotone, "So unfucking fair, man. I play like a fucking genius every fucking day. I think I am going to burn this fucking place down if I don't win this fucking tournament."
Other players ignored him as he sucked the air out of the game and slammed down losing cards. But the tournament ended, maybe, with a poetic justice: Hellmuth was fourth, Zinno won the bracelet and enraged online commentators couldn't get past Brat's last line: Did he really threaten to set the Rio ablaze? After all that, an argument could easily be made that Hellmuth's Twitter mea culpa-beginning with "I went too far in my rant"-was not enough. Never mind that he said he was joking.
A couple of months later, over dinner at Aria's Catch restaurant, the imposing (6-foot-7inch) player casts the incident in soft lighting. "I said to the table that I will get in trouble for saying this, it's a joke, but, I will burn this place down if I don't win.' I knew I was pushing the line. I didn't understand that the very first post, 30 seconds later, wouldn't say it was a joke. The post was put out to make me look bad, just for a headline. It dissipated very quickly."
Hellmuth has a life away from the poker table. He bonded with Tiger Woods, left, at a charity event and fellow pro Mike Matusow at the White House.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
TAG Heuer Formula 1 | Kith
Many connect TAG Heuer with Formula 1 racing through the renowned Monaco watch, named for the Grand Prix held in that city.
Pinball Machines
\"Two kind of people in this world,\" Ray Liotta's character says in the 1997 movie Cop Land.
My Favorite Cigar
Cigar aficionados describe their smoke of choice
A Trinidad Celebration
One of Cuba's star cigar brands commemorates 55 years with anniversary smokes
Gentlemen 1919 A CIGAR HIDEAWAY IN PARIS
In the front, there are hair cutters; in the back, cigar cutters.
A HIGH STEAKS GAME
Gallaghers restaurant, New York's oasis for carnivores, has thrived for 96 years, playing host to a colorful crowd of sports heroes, show people and classic characters
SHORT BUT SWEET
Golf courses traditionally are played on 18 holes, but a new crop of exciting shorter courses from top-name designers might just be the big new thing in golf
The Enforcer
Cole Hauser, who plays the tough-as-nails cowboy Rip on the hit show \"Yellowstone,\" has been around horses since he was a little boy
A Major Celebration - pro golfer and cigar lover Xander Schauffele was ready to unwind after winning the PGA Championship in May
Cigars are meant for celebration, so when pro golfer and cigar lover Xander Schauffele was ready to unwind after winning the PGA Championship in May, he lit up.It was a time of immense relief. Despite being a marquee name in golf, with a Gold Medal and a Ryder Cup among his wins, the 30-year-old Schauffele was haunted by another distinction: the back-handed compliment of being on the list of the best golfers never to win a major. He had come ohso-close in many majors, finishing second twice, and seven times in the top 10. But in May, when his final putt-just over six feet in length-dropped for a birdie, the wait was over. He raised both arms in celebration, a huge smile spreading across his face. He was finally a major champion.
Leader of the Lost Boys
Mike Rypka loves smoking cigars with his friends so much, he bought his neighbor's house and transformed it into a smoking lounge
