Because it doesn't make any sense that he wouldn't play over $130K with the markup he was charging. I think he asked for too much due to his ego and being so well known and couldn't sell most of it.

This stuff about how a ranking system should account for players who don't play a lot of events is nonsense.

This isn't golf or tennis. Who cares how these stupid ranking systems measure things. Its just a list of whos running the hottest.

How the fk does he not have 130k to spend on himself in this if thats what he couldnt raise? he has like top 5 winnings ever, marketing deals, appearance deals, site deals, games, apps, cash game high stakes, 15 million in tournament cashes.

better yet how does he not have a full million for this?
seriously do any mtt guys have actual cash, assets? or are their buyins as high as their winnings?

even so with all the other stuff he has going on i cant see 130k being what kept him from playing this unless im missing something

Does anyone else feel like its kinda rude to ask someone if they sold at markup?

SS,

IYO, was Phil drunk at the time of this interview

Thanks,
waffle

I think transparency in the poker world is more important to the current climate than whether or not journalists are rude to egotistical rich guys.

So while, yes it could definitely be considered rude to inquire about someone's financial situation for a certain tournament, I think calling attention to the fact that someone is uing their image to be able to sell shares at a higher mark up than they know is fair is much more important. Especially when they are definitely aware that their image is not at all indicative of their skill at the game they're selling shares for.

Basically, Phil is a scumbag and who the **** cares about whether or not he gets treated with respect

Ive been a markup policeman in the past, but its just a waste of energy. Now, I couldn't care less what people I don't know/care about do with their money/investments. I mean do we really care? Or are we looking for something to bitch about?

I think bitching about people duping others into a bad investment is absolutely a better use of time than bitching about people being rude to others.

He almost won the last one rofl

130,000 for a single tournament is still a massive massive amount of money..

He would have had to sell at least half of that to consider it.

You are quite the nvg drama queen.

Actually, I simply state my opinions and then defend them. Not drama.

in reading all the 1 drop threads the guy who said it best was the 1 who stated "...you only back yourself if you're worth 30 mil & up".

PH is a multimillionaire. his net might not be $30M but to play vs. 36+ pros and only 6 businessmen with only top 8 getting paid and only top 4 real money ROI is silly IMO...if you're in poker as a biz at all like PH is.

saying something semi-douchy is nothing new for PH ("...didn't really care" when 11% goes to charity or not mentioning Guy/1 drop) so no biggie.

inquiring minds want to know who on Earth would back JRB 1 penny? Rotflmfao! what's he ever done? a few deep runs?

last, how can we as a community keep trying to state poker is a skill game when DG deluxe Mr. Shoenberg can raise even $25k and is allowed anywhere near a table? he robbed the robbers and he's stiffed 1/2 a dozen people on bets, sidebets, fantasy, etc.

If you aren't knowledgeable enough to recognize a bad deal you shouldn't be backing people.

Usually people figure this out after losing a large sum of money.

The way his eyes were darting back and forth made me think he wasn't being truthful. Not that I think Hellmuth is broke but I just think he was trying to make up all this BS when really there was another reason he didn't play.

Surely you know wealthy people who observe bankroll management? Why is so hard to imagine he had committed as much of his own money as he could and had also maxed out interest from rich backers?

Not sure why people are looking for holes in his story when the story is awesomely absurd at face value! I don't think you can find better documentation of Hellmuth's unique brand of delusion and entitlement: He "thought he was gonna get in" and therefore didn't feel any urgency to organize a $1M buyin until the day of the event--brilliant.

You understand putting up a million dollars of your own money for one tournament is borderline lunacy.. unless you are extremely wealthy.

I think part of the reason Phil lives so comfortably is because he's smart enough not to blow a million on something like this.

He lost 100k at the Bellagio 2 days before the One Drop. Unlike most degens, Phil Hellmuth exercises a modicum of bankroll management. Risking another 100K+ so soon after bricking a super high roller doesn't make much sense if you want to extend a 25-year career.

That said, you'd think his best buddy Chamath Palihapitiya could afford to buy him in for the One Drop, but maybe Chamath baulked at the ridiculous markup PH was asking for.

Asking for 10pct markup on an event already juiced over 11pct can't be a good deal for investors

Pretty beast D-Negs taking pretty much half his own action, he's not worth 100's of millions, probably barely 20. The man has some gamble.

I can't believe I finished reading the whole thing before the audio finished. I had to listen though because I wanted to here him talk about how he's never cheated on his wife. Why does he say that in so many interviews?

way better players sold at no markup or markdown. there were almost no fish in the field.

+10000

Would explain so much if Cantu somehow turned out to be Hellmuth's son

Nah.

Because she helps him dodge the bullets.