Very sad news indeed.

I met Mike back in 2005 on the WPT PPMIV Mexico Cruise. I won a package satellite on Party Poker. He was very friendly and willing to answer all the poker noob questions you'd expect to get back in 2005. WPT was a driving force of the growth in poker, and Mike (and Vince) was the voice we all turned on the tv set to learn from.

Here is a video I enjoyed watching a couple years ago, an interview/story telling session with Jonathan Little and Mike. Some sage advice and counsel on finances and money management for the poker player.

It was the first PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (January 2004), on the cruise, but filmed by the WPT. Mike was, of course, Party Poker's ambassador, but he was effusive in his praise of PokerStars and the entire event, both on-camera and off.

Toward the end of the week, I specifically sought him out to thank him for being so gracious toward a competitor. He looked me in the eye and said, "Lee, there's enough pie for everybody - we all share."

Everything I heard about Mike was that that was simply his M.O.

He is indeed one of the true O.G's and man, we will miss him.

I wish him peace and comfort in his final days.

Regards, Lee

You always felt with Mike Sexton that the nice guy you saw on-camera, was the same nice guy you'd see off-camera. A welcome contrast to the many sellouts, fakes and low integrity individuals from down the years.

He is the perfect example of how to carry yourself, and so many could learn from him. The poker world will be a poorer place for his loss.

I deleted a post that doesn’t have a place in here and a couple replies to it that rightfully pointed out how inappropriate it was. As a general rule of thumb, please don’t post stuff that you wouldn’t like to read about yourself while in hospice.

Very sad news about Mike. His whole persona and appearance exemplified why many people call poker a “gentleman’s game”.

How do you lose money as a consultant? O.o

He got paid in stocks or wut?

I remember being around Mike a few times in 2006..can't recall talking to him..he did appear to be a genuinely well-liked guy..I railed that event he final tabled with daniel and matusow..there was that king high call I think..God speed!!

Yes, very unfortunate that a (nearly) 12 year will probably lose his Dad.

There have been very few cases of Hospice patients pulling through, but there's also cases where Hospice lasted quite a long time. While constantly joking about his pay on WPT, hopefully he made some bank on his book and from Party Poker.

I always assumed that Tony and Mike got a freeroll entry at some tournament sites as part of their employment package, who knows? At least he did score a win and has his name etched on that trophy in more than one place! GL

One of my favourite poker moments is the Ike Haxton bluff where Mike Sexton is doing the commentary in a bright green shirt "and he raises with absolute garfunkel"
Legend and this is terrible news.

+1 well said GT1000

Ran into him at the Rio in the Badbeat Hallway near the Starbucks right after his book came out. I said hi and mentioned how much I enjoyed the read and stayed a chatted for a few minutes. Very genuine guy.

Hoping there is some miracle one time in the deck of life for him and he gets some run good added to his amazing run already.

Mike Sexton is the poker Dad I never had. There’s nobody in poker who has been more wholesome and good natured than this guy. You could hear it in his voice whenever he did commentary. He loved the game, the business and the players.

Thank you mike for blessing us and making poker what it is today. We couldn’t have made it without you.

For some reason this is hitting me hard, and I've never personally met him. I didn't even know he was in his 70s; always seemed so full of energy.

A genuinely great person!

don't remember exact details, it's all in the ingram interview (which is one of his best ones because he finally had a guest who knew how to communicate) but iirc it was mostly about stock options ie exercising at wrong times or failing to exercise, had things broke one way or another he'd be a far wealthier man - the whole party poker thing was great though, talks about how they had no idea how poker was even played and he had to explain the very basics to them and they'd make it happen - literally the architect of the site and played a pivotal role in getting it going - best story was the recruitment where nobody believed in that internet thing at all so he finally accepted it once they paid him a bunch of cash up front because he never thought it'd go anywhere

just assume i got it all wrong though, you should definitely listen to his interview with joey and get it straight from the horse's mouth

Every time I saw Mike around the poker room he seemed happy, which made him stand out that's for sure. I feel for his family.

Absolute legend. So sad to hear this

Whenever I saw him at the WSOP he was walking really fast. I assume it's because everyone would've tried to stop him to chat cause he seems like such a personable guy.

Only ever saw him once. He was playing in a tournament at the Aria. He was wearing a suit and tie of course.

Here's the clip from Joey's November 2016 conversation with Mike Sexton.

Hi Everyone:

I think the way to look at this is to ask the question, "How much did Mike achieve in his life?" I think the answer for many poker players is very little, but in Mike's case, it's clearly a lot. So, instead of saying how sad this news is, we should perhaps be posting more about what a great life he had and what some of his achievements were.

I know Mike, but not that well. But the things he did certainly had an impact on me and 2+2. Also, while he's still with us, I suspect he'll either be reading this thread or will be hearing about it. So, let's do our best to celebrate his life and thank him for a job well done.

Best wishes,
Mason

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=521uE86eaRE

Don't know how to youtube this forum but remember waiting for the wpt to air back in the day. Ty for making poker enjoyable to watch. Most definetely one of the reasons I personally started to watch poker on tv and playing myself. Like many of my friends.

He is also a fantastic writer. Loved his Card Player articles.

He made the WPT. Gifted announcer.

I actually think he posted on rec.gambling.poker back in the day.

There was a Party Poker Mike and I assume it was him.

Legend. Not even a question.

The plaudits for Mike here and on other sites are all true. He's a great guy. I gambled with him on different things since the '80s and he was always entertaining, but it was on the golf course where I most enjoyed him. He was the funniest person I ever gambled on golf with. Thanks for being you, Mike.

Thoughts and prayers are with you Mike

sad to hear

Mike made poker fun. He kept a public even keel approach but his love of the game and the competition came thru in spades to both novice or casual players and I assume to other Pro's as well. The term ambassador while often over used fits him to a Tee.