Phil Hellmuth

Not all famous poker players have a perfect reputation, but even by the standards of the gambling world, Phil Hellmuth stands out for his inconsistent behaviour. He has a proven track record of 16 World Series bracelets, a record for appearances in the money and on the final tables - but few would call him the strongest player in the world. He is supremely polite in personal conversations, but at the poker table he is always ready to speak out sharply about his opponent's play and can take losing badly, blowing up as a reaction to the slightest of beatsl.

- "Another idiot from Northern Europe!"
- "They don't even know how to spell poker."

Hellmuth's style is mathematically difficult to evaluate: even a beginner who has barely learned to count pot odds can find mistakes in some hands, whether they’re played in tournaments with big buy-ins or televised cash games. Despite this, he regularly manages to beat tough opponents - and even earns respect and praise from tough online professionals like Phil Galfond.

Hellmuth himself knows better than most about his eccentricity and boundless ego - and takes full advantage of it. A perfect character for a TV appearance, he has turned his World Series entrances into a show - once appearing as a Roman emperor accompanied by trumpet players and 50 female muses, the next time in a racing car - to crash into the Rio casino car park.