Yesterday, I watched the next installment of NBC’s 2009  Heads-Up Poker Championship. Since I wrote about Hellmuth last week and was wondering whether he was acting or turning over a new leaf, I thought it only fair to follow up on that post (Phil Hellmuth’s Shocking Behavior) .

This week, Hellmuth was playing Bertrand ‘Elky’ Grosspelier. Hellmuth busted out on a bad beat only FIVE hands into the match. Hellmuth’s Queens were beat by Elky’s Aces. (Timing is everything!)

No stomping, no jumping up, no berating, no loud utterances, no pointing  fingers. Phil really held it together and was composed – shocked – but composed. He had a tiny whine about “they dealt me queens” – whoever ‘they’ is – but, all in all, Hellmuth was a model sportsman.

When interviewed after the match, Hellmuth remained mature and said that his behavior is not an act. This is the new Phil Hellmuth. No more focusing on the negative. He is going to devote his energies to positive things, thoughts and behaviors.

After two solid appearances, my brain is wanting to believe. Kudos, Phil. Keep up the good work.

Do you think that Phil Hellmuth can keep it up?

Posted Monday, May 11th, 2009 at 8:02 am . Filed under No Limit Hold Em Tournaments. RSS 2.0 feed. Write Comment or trackback.