Card Player Profile: Mike SextonSexton Talks About Playing in WPT Events and About How Seeing Six Seasons of Holecards Has Helped His Game |
|
Mike Sexton has more than $2.7 million in tournament earnings, and his most recent cash was in the pot-limit Omaha event at the Aussie Millions for more than $45,000. “The Ambassador of Poker” is best known as the commentator for the World Poker Tour. Since accepting that position, Sexton has had to cut back on the number of tournaments he plays because of his obligation to the WPT. However, he recently played in the $15,000 buy-in Doyle Brunson Five-Star Poker Classic, and we sat down with him to find out what it was like for him to participate in a WPT event.
Lizzy Harrison: Was the 2007 Doyle Brunson Classic the very first World Poker Tour event where you made an appearance at the tables?
Mike Sexton: It is the first time I’ve ever bought in to a WPT event. Vince [Van Patten] and I play in the WPT Invitational, but we just have fun there — we don’t really play all out. In fact, last year [during the WPT Invitational], I played a pot against Paris Hilton. She was all in preflop with two aces and I had two nines. I spiked a nine on the flop, won the pot, and then gave her the chips back so she would not be eliminated from the tournament. That was much to the delight of the players, the fans, and the Commerce Casino management.
LH: What was it like to play in your first open WPT tournament?
MS: It was really fun for me. I enjoy big-time tournaments and I like playing against the best players in the world. Since I do not play poker for a living anymore, I do not have [to deal with] the pressure and stress that the pros that follow the tour feel.
LH: Did you have to put up your buy-in?
MS: Yes, I did.
LH: What prompted you to play in the DBC?
MS: The WPT just made the ruling that Vince and I could play in some events if we wanted to. I live in Las Vegas, so I was thrilled to get to play. Vince will be playing in Los Angeles.
LH: What reactions did you get from the other players when you sat down at the table?
MS: They were a little surprised to see me there. Most of them thought that it was a good idea for the WPT to allow Vince and me to play. Although a lot of guys did ask, “If you make it to the final table, can I take your job?”
LH: Who would have commentated with Van Patten if you had made the final table?
MS: On day 1 of the tournament, Doyle Brunson told me he would like to do the commentary if I made it to the final table. That would have been great — for two reasons!
LH: How did the tournament go for you?
MS: Day 1 went fine; I was well above average when the day ended. Day 2 did not go well; I lost half of my stack fairly early on. Then, I was all in with two queens against two aces. However, I got very lucky, as I flopped a queen and drew out to double up. On the very next deal, however, I picked up two aces and my opponent had two kings. Incredibly, he spiked a king and won the pot to put me on the low-stack again. I have been playing poker a lot of years, and I have never seen back-to-back pots wherein two aces were all in preflop and lost both times!
LH: What was your opinion on the strength of the field?
MS: Any time you have a $15,000 buy-in event, you should not expect a weak field, as that isn’t going to happen.
LH: Do you think that all of your years of commentating and seeing holecards has improved your game at all?
MS: I do feel like I’m a better no-limit hold’em player than I used to be. Watching great players can only help you. And remember, I have seen every hand at every final table played on the WPT for the past six seasons. That can’t do anything but help one’s game.
LH: Can we expect to see you participating in any more World Poker Tour events this season?
MS: If my schedule permits, I might play in the WPT event coming up at the Commerce Casino [the Los Angeles Poker Classic]. I would also like to play in the $25,000 buy-in WPT championship event at Bellagio in April, but they might not want me to play that one.
Copyright © 2001-2024
CardPlayer.com. All rights reserved.
