‘Poker Brat’ is born: 30 years later, inside Phil Hellmuth’s gorgeous arrival

In Might 1989, the World Collection of Poker was celebrating its 20th 12 months at Binion’s Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas. Throughout its wealthy historical past, the WSOP had 4 back-to-back champions in Johnny Moss (1970, 1971), Doyle Brunson (1976, 1977), Stu Ungar (1980, 1981) and Johnny Chan (1987, 1988).

Coming into the 1989 WSOP important occasion, Johnny Chan — nicknamed The Orient Specific — was the reigning two-time champion. After following within the footsteps of Moss, Brunson and Ungar, Chan appeared to set the brand new high-water mark — and he was effectively on his option to a three-peat — after making the ultimate desk in a document 178-player discipline.

5 gamers stood in his manner. Steve Lott, who was on the WSOP important occasion last desk for the second of three profession journeys, was the chip chief. Then there was future WSOP important occasion champion Noel Furlong (who finally claimed poker’s greatest title in 1999), Lyle Berman (recent off profitable his first of three profession WSOP gold bracelets) and Don Zewin, (who now has 9 WSOP bracelet occasion last tables to his identify).

Rounding out the ultimate six was a younger, brash 24-year-old skilled poker participant from Wisconsin by the identify of Phil Hellmuth. Properly earlier than he set the tempo with quite a few data on the WSOP, together with the mark for many bracelets gained in WSOP historical past (15), Hellmuth was an up-and-comer prepared to interrupt by way of and problem one of many legends of the sport.

In preparation for Chan’s try at an unparalleled poker feat, the primary occasion was filmed for tv and captured one of the crucial well-known arms within the recreation’s historical past.

Thirty years after Hellmuth started to construct his legend in poker, ESPN spoke with a number of key figures who have been there on the night time that modified the sport of poker ceaselessly.

The state of poker in 1989

Heading into the 1989 WSOP important occasion, Johnny Chan was on high of the poker world. Tv commentator Chris Marlowe was a part of the published for every of Chan’s two earlier WSOP important occasion wins, and he was again to see if Chan may make it a three-peat.

Chris Marlowe, veteran broadcaster and former Olympic gold medalist in volleyball

In these days, we weren’t aware about the outlet playing cards. We filmed Johnny’s first and second win, and the subsequent two years as effectively. We’d movie the motion and would do interviews. Of all of the sports activities I’ve coated over the previous 40 years, I’ve by no means seen a extra compelling group of athletes in my life. There was a push to make poker a sport. They needed me to discuss with the contributors as athletes so they might attempt to proceed creating poker as a sport. In all honesty, who knew it could finally develop into this massive?

Johnny Chan, 1987 and 1988 WSOP important occasion champion

We by no means thought poker was going to develop into this massive. Again then, we did not assume profitable a bracelet was so vital. If I knew that profitable a bracelet was so vital, I might have performed extra tournaments and I may need one thing like 20 bracelets. All my life, I performed largely money video games.

Phil Hellmuth, 1989 WSOP important occasion champion

It’s important to perceive that you simply could not decide poker gamers out of a lineup [at the time]. So, when [an] article comes out in Esquire journal … everyone seems to be speaking about it. And only for a second in there, Johnny Chan is speaking about me. He mentioned one thing like, “When Hellmuth reins it in, he’ll win the primary occasion.” Once I learn that, it gave me extra gas and I advised individuals I used to be going to win the 1989 WSOP important occasion. I wrote down objectives, and on the high of the listing was to win the World Collection (of Poker) important occasion. I even put it on my answering machine message earlier than I performed the primary occasion.

Poker historical past: 30 years in the past right this moment!Outcomes after @WSOP Major Occasion Day three (Might 17, 1989). 6 left: Steve Lott, Johnny Chan, me, Noel Furlong, Don Zewin, Lyle Berman #POSITIVITY #PHNiceLife pic.twitter.com/eLv93xa91M

— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) Might 17, 2019

The ultimate desk

Presided over by Horseshoe president Jack Binion, the 1989 WSOP important occasion had a record-breaking discipline for the 18th straight 12 months, reaching 178 gamers. After three days of poker, Chan made his third straight last desk and a 3rd straight title appeared inevitable to anybody on the surface wanting in. Whereas everybody was speaking about Chan, few paid a lot consideration to Hellmuth.

Marlowe

To me, Johnny was such an interesting character, with the orange out on the desk. Simply the best way he would play, he was so calm. He appeared to be a big presence on the desk. Then, when he repeated in 1988, he turned nearly a legendary character, at the least for me. He gained the primary two, so when he made the ultimate desk [in 1989], it was nearly a foregone conclusion that he would win the subsequent one.

Jack Binion

At the moment, Johnny was a extremely good poker participant, however everybody had an opportunity to win. Johnny was undoubtedly the favourite, and Phil wasn’t a recognized amount. Phil was only a younger child and nobody was anticipating [him] to win the event.

Mike Sexton, Poker Corridor of Famer, WPT commentator

At that specific time, I can not even clarify how massive Johnny Chan was within the poker world. Not solely had he gained the 2 earlier [WSOP] important occasions, however he’d additionally gained the Corridor of Fame occasion [back-to-back]. The most important tournaments on this planet, he had gained a number of in a row and right here he was going once more for 3 in a row on the important occasion on the World Collection. He was like a god … it was simply unimaginable.”

Lyle Berman, fifth-place finisher, 1989 WSOP important occasion

Johnny and I are good pals, however I did not even know Phil in any respect. He was simply one other chair on the desk. I do not assume I had ever performed with him.

“At that specific time, I can not even clarify how massive Johnny Chan was within the poker world … he was like a god.”

Mike Sexton, Poker Corridor of Famer

Don Zewin, third-place finisher, 1989 WSOP important occasion

It was all about Johnny going for 3 in a row, which was wonderful in itself. It was overestimated fairly good. Phil wasn’t well-known on the time, he was very younger. I performed a little bit bit with Phil prior in some restrict maintain ’em video games. Within the WSOP important occasion, I consider I did not play with Phil till last desk.

Chan

There wasn’t any strain on the time. I felt I may play a lot better than the opposite gamers on the last desk and I may outplay anyone. I did not care who I performed towards, I used to be fearless! I felt I used to be pretty much as good as anyone on this planet.

Zewin

I consider he was a little bit cocky, however there’s nothing mistaken with being assured. He wasn’t impolite and was a gentleman on the desk… [But] if somebody knocked him [out], we would have seen an explosion.

Sexton

I had by no means heard of Phil. He was completely an unknown, whereas everyone else on the last desk was recognized within the poker world fairly effectively. However Phil did not lack confidence, even at that younger age.

Marlowe

I felt [Phil] had that mindset that he was going to be the best poker participant in the future. For Phil, this was undoubtedly his coming-out celebration.

Poker historical past: footage from 1989 @WSOP Major Occasion (Might 15-18, 1989). Doc, Ali Farsai, Johnny Freakin Chan, Humberto “The Shark” Brennes pic.twitter.com/MEppzgmy48

— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) Might 17, 2019

The battle begins

Furlong was the primary to go. Then Chan outplayed Berman and knocked him out in fifth place.

Berman

I do bear in mind the hand I went out with, as a result of I performed it unhealthy. I did not keep in mind that the blinds had simply been raised, so when it bought round to me I did not increase as a lot as I ought to have. If I raised larger, Johnny could haven’t known as together with his two 7’s (Berman had As-Kc on a Ks-7d-6c flop). However then off got here a king, and I bought actual excited as a result of I bought seven outs. However I did not get there, and I used to be actually down on myself.”

A short while later, Hellmuth pulled off a dramatic double knockout to eradicate Lott and Zewin on the identical hand.

Zewin

We by no means performed three-handed. Phil knocked out me and Steve (Lott) with 4 gamers left. I bought third place as a result of I had extra chips than Steve. The explanation why that hand was so devastating the place I used to be a reasonably good favourite pre-flop (Zewin had 10h-10d vs Hellmuth’s Ac-10c vs Lott’s 2s-2c; the board ran out Ah-7s-7d-Qh-8s, giving Hellmuth a profitable pair of aces).

Had I gained the hand, Johnny, Phil and I might have been all even on chips. And something may occur from there. To get that deep, you must be extremely fortunate…and my luck simply ran out. I nonetheless look again right this moment and it hurts.

Immediately, the scene set for this epic heads-up battle between Hellmuth and Chan — the younger gun and the seemingly infallible power of nature. The circumstances surrounding the ultimate day of the event turned out to fall in Hellmuth’s favor.

Chan

Again then, the primary occasion lasted 4 days. On the third day, we performed till three within the morning, however the broadcast firm needed us to complete by 6 p.m. to get the outcomes on the night information. In order that they made us begin at 10 a.m. and I used to be actually drained. I did not get sufficient sleep.

Chris Marlowe was on the published for Johnny Chan’s 1st-1st-2nd three-year run within the WSOP important occasion, but it surely wasn’t their final piece of shared historical past. Marlowe’s name of the ultimate hand of the 1988 WSOP important occasion made its manner into the 1998 movie “Rounders.”

Marlowe: “In 1998, ‘Rounders’ got here out. A good friend of mine requested me if I had seen the film, which I hadn’t. She advised me that I used to be within the film. I believed, “Why hasn’t somebody advised me and the place’s my examine?” So the subsequent night time, I went to see the film with my spouse. After which I noticed the scene the place I’m asserting the heads-up battle between Chan and Erik Seidel. You hear my voice as I am doing an interview with Johnny Chan. So not solely does Johnny (and Erik) dwell on in ‘Rounders,’ however so do I. To at the present time, I nonetheless get residuals, they proceed in perpetuity. With all of this, I really feel like I had a small half on this planet of poker.”

Chan: “On the time ‘Rounders’ was being made, my 19-year-old daughter learn the script and needed to satisfy Matt Damon. So, I advised the producer when he got here asking me to signal the discharge that I wanted to be within the film and needed to satisfy Matt Damon. In any other case, I wasn’t going to signal the discharge. They mentioned no drawback after which added a little bit scene for me.”

Hellmuth

I did not have time to assume heading into the ultimate desk. You performed 10 hours a day for 3 days in a row. However I had one little gimmick deliberate. I used to be going to tug out some sun shades, which I had by no means worn earlier than, as a result of Chan wore them. I used to be exhibiting Chan a little bit gamesmanship, however no disrespect to him. I used to be going to verify I had everybody’s consideration once I pulled out my sun shades. And I did it. And Chan observed. Nevertheless it backfired, as a result of I did not win any pots.

I used to be [also] carrying the Sony Sports activities headphones. At the moment, I used to be the one one carrying headphones. I used to be listening to music the primary three days. However on the ultimate day, I did not hearken to any music. It was a bluff that I used to be listening to music.

Sexton

When it bought heads-up, I used to be standing fairly near the place Hellmuth was getting interviewed. He appeared very cocky and really assured. He was treating Johnny Chan like he was simply anybody else … That’s what took me aback.

Chan

Phil was a younger child that I performed with who was cocky and talked loads. I underestimated Phil on the time. However, in fact, he turned out to be a reasonably good participant. After that, I discovered my lesson to by no means underestimate my opponents.

Marlowe

I do not assume Phil was nervous. He appeared to have this interior confidence that he may do it. The truth that he was enjoying Johnny Chan, it appeared that Phil took it on as a problem. The better the opposition, the better the glory.

Hellmuth

Chan and I had performed loads by then. I wasn’t afraid. I knew I had one thing, and maintain ’em simply made a whole lot of sense to me. I leaned ahead to him and I mentioned, “You will must play nice poker and get fortunate ‘trigger I am simply going to play nice poker.” And 32 minutes later I had the title.

When Phil Hellmuth bought all the way down to heads-up play with Johnny Chan, he donned sun shades alongside together with his signature pair of headphones. Larry Grossman/photopokerarchive

The ultimate hand

After the opposite 4 gamers have been eradicated, Chan and Hellmuth battled heads-up for about 30 minutes. With Hellmuth holding the chip lead and the button, he raised to 40,000. Chan determined to re-raise 130,000 extra. With out hesitation, Hellmuth gesticulated wildly towards the pot, in a transfer all-too-familiar to modern-day poker followers, and pushed all-in.

He had put the reigning champion to the last word take a look at for his event life. After some deliberation, Chan lastly introduced, “All proper,” and pushed his personal chips into the center, making the decision. After Chan revealed his As-7s, he noticed that he was behind Hellmuth’s 9s-9c.

The Kc-10h-Kd flop provided a little bit little bit of assist to Chan, as he picked up three further outs, and the Qs flip created further drama, as Chan had 13 outs; any 10, jack, queen or ace would make him a winner. Hellmuth shot up out of his chair, ready nervously together with his arms folded for the ultimate card. When the 6s fell, an ecstatic Hellmuth raised his arms in celebration. He’d completed it.

Chan

The ultimate hand, I performed horrible. I used to be so drained. I simply needed to get it over with. If I had sufficient sleep and performed my A-game, I won’t have misplaced my endurance and I might have by no means performed A-7. Too unhealthy — I may need gained back-to-back-to-back.

Sexton

I used to be fairly shocked that Chan put his cash in with that hand. Hellmuth raised and Chan three-bet and, in a single second, Hellmuth moved all-in. He simply appeared so assured. And since Johnny had extra expertise, I believed he would need to stretch the match out so long as he may to determine Phil’s tendencies … however anyway, now the 2 black nines have develop into well-known.

Chan

Over the past hand, I believed I used to be going to get there on the river. I used to be working good. I had optimistic vitality and actually thought I used to be going to get there.

Hellmuth

I simply thought he was going to suck out on me. I used to be scared to dying that he would hit his card. I had watched him do it earlier than. He simply stored hitting his card, time and time once more. I used to be sort of anticipating Chan to get there. I used to be a little bit shocked when the 6s got here off. I used to be making ready to play for an additional two or three hours. It was only a actually candy second.

It was the sheer pleasure of profitable … After the win, I am wanting up on the digicam. Then, actually inside 5 seconds, I used to be on the lookout for my dad. He comes working up and safety stops him as a result of there was a lot cash on the desk. However I waved him by way of and inside 20-30 seconds of that final card falling, I used to be hugging my dad.

Thirty years faraway from profitable the World Collection of Poker important occasion, Phil Hellmuth now holds 15 WSOP gold bracelets — 5 greater than another poker participant on this planet. WSOP.com

The legacy

On that Might night in 1989, Hellmuth gained $755,000 and have become the youngest WSOP important occasion champion in historical past. It was a document that held for 19 years, till 22-year-old Peter Eastgate broke it in 2008 (just for then-21-year-old Joe Cada to interrupt Eastgate’s document the next 12 months).

Hellmuth and Chan remained aggressive for years to come back, and by 2007, Hellmuth, Chan and Brunson have been tied atop the profession WSOP bracelet leaderboard with 10 apiece. That summer time, Hellmuth eclipsed Chan as soon as extra by profitable his 11th WSOP bracelet. He is since gone on to succeed in 15 profession bracelet wins — 5 away from Chan, Brunson and Phil Ivey.

Hellmuth

We have been all on [10 bracelets], and once I lastly took over the only lead of the bracelet race, Chan and Brunson have been there to provide me quantity 11. That was fairly elegant, fairly cool.

Chan continues to be one of the crucial recognizable names in all of poker, thanks in no small half to his look within the iconic poker film, “Rounders.” However his days of profitable WSOP gold bracelets are largely no extra, as he usually performs only one event a 12 months — the WSOP important occasion.

Chan

I do not play tournaments anymore. They take up a whole lot of time. In a event, for those who do not end last desk, you do not make any cash after paying all of the bills.

Hellmuth’s event outcomes have stood the take a look at of time, and he has continued to win regardless of event discipline sizes which are a number of orders of magnitude bigger than they have been when he gained the primary occasion in 1989.

Sexton

When you take a look at what he has gone on to do, it is really unimaginable. And what’s actually spectacular is that he has gained a number of just lately in maintain ’em which have manner, manner larger fields.

Zewin

I am certain lots of people thought [Phil] was a fortunate younger child on the time. If something, individuals would have anticipated Johnny to maintain profitable. No person may see this coming, what he ended up doing. It is simply phenomenal what he has completed within the poker world.

Hellmuth set a excessive bar for himself early in his poker profession, and by his estimation, he nonetheless has an extended option to go earlier than he hangs up his signature baseball hat.

Hellmuth

In 1993, I gained three [bracelets] in a single 12 months and that put me at 5 general. And it simply caught in my thoughts that you will win 24 bracelets. I believed this was an excellent factor to hold onto. I do not know why that quantity got here, or what it means, but it surely was one thing to cling to. A pleasant lifetime aim, and I started speaking about it in 1993.

I additionally wrote down that I used to be now going to develop into the best poker participant of all time.