In this column, we deliver you the latest and most interesting news and gossip from our favourite poker people.
Poker Brat Phil Hellmuth called out following outburst
Fifteen-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth has yet again made poker headlines, surprisingly not for a win but for a recent outburst in this Monday’s World Series of Poker $10,000 Stud Championship final table. After losing a bad beat against eventual champion Anthony Zinno, Hellmuth can be heard saying, “I think I’m gonna burn this f***ing place down if I don’t win this f***ing tournament” and carried on to go on a profanity-laced rant, all caught on cameras.
Having garnered the moniker ‘Poker Brat’, 57-year old Hellmuth appears to be just the same despite all the penalties he incurred over the years. While the table fell silent following his outburst, Zinno luckily did not take any personal offense to the matter and later on referred to the incident as ‘entertaining’.
Hahah. @phil_hellmuth is the only poker player on earth that could find a way to make a 7-Card Stud final table entertaining for *all*
— Anthony Zinno (@AntZinno) October 12, 2021
WSOP commentator Norman Chad however, did not take the issue lightly and was quick to call out Hellmuth for the unacceptable behavior.
“Even if you are the best on the planet right now, everything you have done since the end of that hand has been completely reprehensible and unacceptable. It’s absurd. Nobody else would be able to get away with this. You talk about reforming yourself time and again, and time and again when push comes to shove, we get this BS. Other players should not be the victim of this type of abuse at the table”, stated Chad.
Was @phil_hellmuth out of line last night at the final table of the WSOP $10,000 stud final table?
Unrelentingly, unacceptably, unspeakably.
All the bracelets in the world do not excuse that behavior at the table. Ever.
It’s GOTTA stop, buddy.
— Norman Chad (@NormanChad) October 12, 2021
Hellmuth on the other hand, has since issued an apology while also acknowledging that he did indeed go too far with the rant. Many were quick to criticize Hellmuth’s uncalled for reactions saying that it was clearly a violation of numerous tournament rules yet was left unacted upon.
1 I went too far in my rant. 3 things: 1.) I love @AntZinno and he KNOWS me/loves me and he enjoyed my rant. 2.) Anyone that watched the whole broadcast knows I said, “This is a joke: I’m afraid ill get called out for it: if I don’t win, I will burn the place down.” Next thing…
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) October 12, 2021
Doesn’t make it ok. In case I wasn’t clear, I apologize for going too far last night. https://t.co/a84avcCoaW
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) October 12, 2021
Regardless if the tirade was entertaining or offensive, Hellmuth’s impressive run at this year’s WSOP events is also worth noting. So far, Hellmuth has made four deep runs, three of which were final tables, raking a total of $235,000 in winnings as his search for a 16th bracelet continues.
Shaun Deeb’s safety concerns at the Rio
While checking in a four-star hotel such as the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino may make you feel safe during a short stay, four-time bracelet winner Shaun Deeb was unfortunately not as lucky. Taking his chances in this year’s games, Deeb found himself in the middle of a break-in after an intruder apparently paid him a visit at around 6:30 in the morning.
Nothing like waking up at 6am to someone who is inside your room robbing you PSA to all staying at the Rio make sure you latch your door at night and sadly the person ran away we will see if security can actually do their job or not and find them
— shaun deeb (@shaundeeb) October 10, 2021
Awakened by the unexpected noise, Deeb reportedly confronted the unknown individual who managed to run away and disappear rather quickly. Deeb immediately reported the incident to staff at the Rio in an effort to secure CCTV footage of the intruder and hopefully, put a stop to this concern.
Deeb’s post on social media racked up a line up of similar complaints as well as other unfavorable experiences on the site. With many raising concerns on the overall security and quality of service provided at the Rio, next summer’s WSOP attendees will thankfully be spared as the festival’s new home at Bally’s and Planet Hollywood.
Jennifer Tilly returns to new Chucky series
Just in time for Halloween, bracelet winner Jennifer Tilly is making a return in the Child’s Play horror series following her appearance in the franchise’s fourth movie installment, Bride of Chucky back in 1998. The American–Canadian actress will once again appear alongside Brad Dourif, the voice of the demonic doll for more than 30 years, in Don Mancini’s remade Chucky series. From her social media posts, it appears Tilly is over the moon to star in this latest project as she invites fans old and new, to give it a chance.
How to treat your #chucky doll. (From @enews) #chuckyseries tonight at 10/9c on @USA_Network & @SYFY @ChuckyIsReal pic.twitter.com/oj35EVRa14
— Jennifer Tilly (@JenniferTilly) October 13, 2021
Premiered only two days ago, the first released episode has already recorded over 100K views, leaving viewers already hanging for more. USA Network wrote about the new Chucky television series in its post describing the plot to be “..an idyllic American town is thrown into chaos after a vintage ‘Good Guy’ doll turns up at a suburban yard sale. Soon, everyone must grapple with a series of horrifying murders that begin to expose the town’s deep hypocrisies and hidden secrets. Meanwhile, friends and foes from Chucky’s past creep back into his world and threaten to expose the truth behind his mysterious origins as a seemingly ordinary child who somehow became this notorious monster.”
