Extraordinarily Frustrated - Q&A with Phil Hellmuth

Phil Hellmuth's temper is almost as legendary as his poker achievements. Bursting onto the poker scene with a main even win in 1989, Hellmuth has continued to remain one of the biggest names in poker. His record of 11 World Series of Poker bracelets is currently unmatched, and Hellmuth continues to strive for another WSOP victory.

Card Player caught up with Hellmuth immediately after he made his exit from event No. 49, $1,500 no limit hold'em, during level four. Hellmuth got it all in pre-flop with AK against 2008 Player of the Year candidate Allen Bari's 88, but failed to improve and was eliminated.

Alex Porter: How has the 39th World Series of Poker been treating you so far?

Phil Hellmuth: It's been a bit frustrating for me. I just got dealt two kings over there, and the other guy had two aces. It was a heads up pot, and I folded the kings. Everybody was talking about what a great lay down it was. Why do I have to make that lay down all the time? I'm f***ing sick of it.

My level of frustration continues to rise. I'm extraordinarily frustrated. Just in the last half hour I've had ace-king, ace-king, and kings, and I lost all three pots. I think it's been four times this trip that I've had kings and they've had aces. One time I actually hit a king, and this time I got away from it. I'm supposed to be broke, but I gave myself an extra life. I played a big pot with ace-king against queens which I lost. I played another big pot with ace-king suited against eights. It's just been frustrating.

AP: I was watching that last hand from the media booth. Wasn't that the hand in which you were eliminated from this event?

PH: Yeah, ace-king suited I had against some amateur who is talking smack like he's the best player in the world. He even said that!

AP: Do you find that amateurs are constantly trying to bust you out of tournaments?

PH: No, not really. Usually I play so patiently that it's tough to play pots against me.

AP: That's somewhat surprising, considering there's a tournament strategy book titled Kill Phil. Several other pros have even told me that they experience that phenomenon. But no one focuses on Phil Hellmuth?

PH: No, not really. I mean, obviously they want to play pots against me. They give me too much action. I can sit there and play tight for an hour, and when I raise they always come with me. It's a little crazy.

AP: I'm not sure if you heard, but today Nikolay Evdakov cashed in his ninth event this series, breaking your record of eight. Have you had a chance to play with him so far this WSOP?

PH: I played with him once or twice because he was down there deep with me a couple of times. In pot limit Omaha he was down there with me.

AP: Do you think he's a fluke or is he solid?

PH: I don't know. I haven't played with him enough to figure it out.

AP: You made an early exit from the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. championship the other day as well.

PH: That I played badly. In the H.O.R.S.E. event I didn't play my best poker. That's different.

AP: It sounds like you're having kind of a rough time this year. However, you've still got several events left including the main event. What's your game plan?

PH: Well, I just have to continue to play great poker everyday and give myself a chance. I think I wouldn't be surprised if something great happens. It wouldn't surprise me at all.

Card Player's Live Player Database:

Phil Hellmuth