News: "I'm the fastest player & biggest tipper'"

In a short chat with the Poker Brat he tells us he is the fastest player, the biggest tipper and he thinks he can roast Daniel Negreanu - enjoy!

What are your thoughts on shot clocks? You spend a lot of time showboating and getting reads, so do they hurt your game?

Phil Hellmuth: Actually, I’m one of the fastest players in the game in 2018! I fold my hands super quickly and then watch everyone else stall for 15 seconds. We have a real problem in poker. Ideally, we need a chess clock to solve it. I need 3-4 minutes for one or two crucial decisions per day. And by folding so quickly when I have nothing, all day long, I have a balance of 15 minutes built up. Many of the guys study way too long almost every decision. It’s not fair!

There is a debate going on at the moment about tipping after a big win - are you a big tipper?

Phil Hellmuth: I consider myself the biggest tipper in poker, by far! Ask anyone anywhere about this. I try to tip 30% on every room service bill, and restaurant meal (30% on food, 10% on alcohol). I like to tip when I cash in tourneys. Although I freely over-tip everywhere I go, I don’t expect everyone to follow. But I do expect that they tip. Man, I could name some names that I’m disappointed in, but since I’m the author of #POSITIVITY...

Well, the @WPT is going to “Roast” me. Hmmm...I wonder if they can find enough material to make fun of? I mean, I’m pretty quiet and reserved, esp at the poker table... #PHRoastComingMay28 #DOH

— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) January 18, 2019

You are being roasted by the WPT this May - if you were roasting you, what would you say?

Phil Hellmuth: The obvious stuff: Ego, confidence, whining at the tables too much, my entrances dressed as characters like Caesar, and all of my famous lines! I’m the biggest target in poker! I deserve some guff. And I’m willing to laugh at myself. I think a larger audience is interested in hearing me get roasted, and I believe they don’t have nearly enough seats...it will sell out quickly, and I hope they have a LIVE stream.

If you were to roast another player, who would it be and what would the joke be?

Phil Hellmuth: I could roast Daniel! About him switching positions so often...defending his sponsors when they are wrong, etc. I’m sure I will roast Daniel eventually.

"2nd chance events are better than freezeouts"

What do you think of the new WSOP schedule?

Phil Hellmuth: The WSOP continues to a great job of innovating and bringing in players of all calibre. These huge fields are amazing for poker.

Are there too many bracelet events? Have they devalued the prestige of the bracelet?

Phil Hellmuth: No way! Remember the fields are HUGE! I have no problem with all of the WSOP tourneys, and WSOPE tourneys. It’s not like someone is winning 2-3 per year.

We’ve noticed you at the PSPC and now you are promoting March's MILLIONS South America event - are we going to see more of you on the non-WSOP circuit?

Phil Hellmuth: I have been trying SO HARD to make other big events! Last year I missed tons of big tourneys including the WSOPE (for the first time), all of the partypoker huge tourneys and too many WPT’s. I have some regret. That why I’m hopping on a plane tomorrow to Borgata WPT, despite the fact that in 2019 I’ve already been to LA, Bahamas, New Jersey, home, Vegas, home and on Jan 25th, Atlantic City! That’s why I committed to MILLIONS South America, and the 16 hours of travel time. Also, wifey and I will be there for “Carnevale,” which is amazing.

partypoker are making all their MILLIONS main events freezeouts - what are your thoughts on freezeouts vs re-entries?

Phil Hellmuth: I love that! But even better, I think, is one rebuy. It’s a long flight to some of these, and a 2nd Chance is a good thing...too many rebuys causes an integrity issue.

Phil Hellmuth is currently promoting MILLIONS South America which takes place in Rio from March 15. Not only are qualifiers running now but if you buy into all five MILLIONS events in 2019 you will get a free £10,300 ticket to MILLIONS UK in 2020.