Right after his exit from the WPT World Championship at the Bellagio, Phil Hellmuth talked with our reporter Tobias Block. In this exclusive PokerStrategy.com interview, the eleven-time bracelet-winner speaks about mindset and the upcoming WSOP.
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| Phil Hellmuth |
PokerStrategy.com: You just busted out of the WPT World Championship a few moments ago. What happened?
Phil Hellmuth: It was a very standard hand. I set up my image before by shoving all-in two times just before that hand. I had Q-Q and A-K. But people never believe me. So I found K-K and re-raised again and got called by Hafiz Khan. The Flop was 5-4-3. He checked, I bet and he moved all-in.
When he flipped over Q-Q, I said to myself "I cannot lose!" I even had the backdoor diamond draw. But then the queen fell on the turn. It's so frustrating because I wanted to win this tournament so much.
Besides the WSOP events, this is the most important title for me. Maybe it even means more than a bracelet.
"But I smiled, wished everyone well and I didn't knock any chairs over"
PokerStrategy.com: You talked about image. Can you guess how much money you made in your career, just because players play differently against you?
Phil Hellmuth: It is amazing that people consistently underestimate my hand strength. It's a good thing for me because I can just let my stack grow. But you have to get lucky too, not to get sucked out on all the time by worse hands.
PokerStrategy.com: After so many years in the poker circuit you are still complaining about bustouts. Do you like your mindset?
Phil Hellmuth: It is because I wanted to win this event more than any other and then getting my money in as 10:1 favourite [and losing] hurts. He had two outs twice. I have to run the math, but I guess I am 10:1 favourite. But I smiled, wished everyone well and I didn't knock any chairs over. So I am growing up, getting older and wiser.
PokerStrategy.com: You are one of the most successful players in the history of the WSOP. Be honest, are you sometimes proud of what you have achieved when you sit at home and lean back in your couch?
Phil Hellmuth: The problem is, when you're proud of what you have done, you fail in moving forward. Sometimes people come up to me and tell me: "Phil, you are my all time hero." That's a very cool compliment and I thank everyone out there.
But if I let it in, then my ego can become too big, which the world has already seen here and there. So I feel very blessed and I am proud of what I have accomplished, but I also look to the future a lot too.
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| Phil Hellmuth and his bracelets |
"I feel there is about an 80% chance that I play"
PokerStrategy.com: What tournaments at the WSOP are you most looking forward to and do you plan on playing the $1m buy-in "Big One for One Drop"?
Phil Hellmuth: I haven't even tried to raise money for the “Big One” yet. Then I talked to just one guy and I got a text from him: “I am thinking about buying a piece of you for the Big One. I put up $250,000.” I just wrote back: “Thank you!”
Then I got another text yesterday from someone who wants $250,000. David Chesnoff, one of the worlds most famous trial attorneys, told me this morning at the golf course that he wants to buy $50,000. So I called Guy Laliberte and said: “Hey Guy, I have already sold $550,000!” He said: “Great, we really want you to play. We want you and Doyle Brunson to be in this event.” So, we will see what happens!
PokerStrategy.com: What are the chances of you playing then?
Phil Hellmuth: A week ago I would have probably said 30%. But with how things turned out in the last few days, I feel there is about an 80% chance that I play. I really want to win a bracelet this year. I might be more motivated than almost anyone else on the planet to win. That's why I am showing up and grinding day by day.
PokerStrategy.com: Phil, thanks for the interview.
by 
Tobias Block
It was a very standard hand. I set up my image before by shoving All in two times just before that hand. I had QQ and AK. But people never believe me. So I found KK and reraised again and got called. The Flop was 543, he checked, I bet and he moved All in. When he flipped over QQ, I said to myself : “I cannot lose!” I even had the Backdoor Diamond Draw. But then the Q fell on the turn.
Its so frustrating because I wanted to win this tournament so much. Besides the WSOP Events this is the most important title for me. Maybe it even means more than a bracelet.
