Phil Hellmuth Sets Shoes on Fire at World Series of Poker
On the second day of this year’s World Series of Poker (WSOP) tournament at Rio Casino, Phil Hellmuth set his shoes on fire in the parking lot.
The most successful player in the WSOP history and 14-time bracelet winner took a rather unusual strategy in order to change his luck at the tables.
After a winless run that started following his $25,000 win in February against Mike Matusow in Omaha, Phil decided to exorcise his demons and cleanse his soul. He stepped out of Rio Casino into the parking lot and offered his golden shoes as a sacrifice to poker gods. The player himself, together with his parents and his “spiritual guru”, believe this ritual will put him back on winning track.
“I’m not superstitious, but just in case. I’ve lost every day since I’ve come to Vegas.”, Hellmuth said to onlookers that included high-pay players Daniel Negreanu and Tony G.
“They’re brand new shoes. I called my dad, he said ‘burn them.’ I called my mom, ‘burn them.’ My spiritual guru said ‘burn them’. I’m trying to get rid of the spirits.”
The ritual seemed to work since Hellmuth immediately cashed in $312,006. So far this year, Hellmuth only cashed in four tournaments. He cashed in $25,000 in an $1,100 event at the L.A. Poker Classic and finished at 10th place in the High Roller One Drop where he bottled the final table of $111,111.
Being in a tough game, at one moments it can seem as if the Gods are smiling on you and nothing can go wrong, and at the other you can lose your head and fell like you’re cursed. As one of the most successful players over the last thirty years, Hellmuth has never been afraid to show his frustration or anxiety. Over the years he became known as “The Poker Brat” but his emotional instability only shows that he is a regular man, just like the rest of us.
Phil has raised the bar when it comes to consistent runs throughout his career so he can allow himself such a passionate stunt.
