Deal Me In -- Phil Hellmuth

In its pages are never-before-revealed details of the lives of some of the biggest names in poker. Phil Hellmuth new book profiles 20 of the biggest poker players in the world, giving the reader an intimate look at the game’s biggest celebrities.

Deal Me In, a collection of autobiographical accounts from many of poker’s elite, is now available to order online exclusively at www.pokerbrat.com. The book highlights the struggles, obstacles, and tragedies that 20 of the greatest poker pros have overcome in their journeys to the top.

CardPlayer.com is providing exclusive excerpts from the book each Sunday. This week’s passage focuses on Hellmuth himself, as he experiences a moment of clarity while struggling to make a living at the game:

“The bar we ended up in was a dive. It was dark, shabby, and the few patrons inside were already feeling the impact of the cheap beer, whiskey, or whatever other mood-altering chemical they happened to be consuming. My friends ordered beers, reached for cigarettes, and proceeded to a lone pool table in a corner of the bar, where they began to drink, smoke, laugh, tell bullshit stories, and gamble on a game of 8-ball.

“As I stood there, idly watching them, it suddenly occurred to me with great clarity how out of place I felt in that bar. I remember asking myself, “What am I doing here? I don’t smoke and I don’t drink much, yet here I am in a bar, drinking at noon. I don’t enjoy going to bars. This is not for me. This is not my path.” The experience hit me like a cold bucket of water sloshed in my face. I walked to the back door, opened it wide, and was blinded by the bright sunshine reflecting off the ice and melted snow. It reminded me of the cleansing white light people are said to see in near-death experiences, it flooded my senses. I suddenly had this overwhelming desire to get the hell out of there, and fast. I knew that I couldn’t drive my own car, so I made apologies to the guys and took a taxi home.

“When I got home, I went directly to my desk, pulled out my journal, and wrote, “OK, this is it. If you’re going to play poker for a living, then you’re going to be the best.” I then wrote down a list of life goals. Word for word, they were:

1. Win the “Big One” at the WSOP
2. Meet and marry a wonderful woman
3. Write a New York Times bestselling book
4. Buy a beautiful house
5. Buy a nice car
6. Win tons of big poker tournaments

“I was still pretty much a kid, but from that moment on, I was committed to the goals I had set for myself. No matter how many years it took, I was ready to pursue them with steadfast purpose. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that I would achieve all of these goals before my 25th birthday.”

Buy the book today, only at www.pokerbrat.com.

Related Articles

Match? Hellmuth Responds To Kenney’s Trash Talk

WATCH: Phil Hellmuth Rage Quits Poker Show

Resorts World To Host WPT One Drop Charity Event

Most Viewed Articles