The ever-genial WPT host and true Ambassador for Poker chats to WPT Poker about his recent Hall of Fame induction.
He’s long been recognized as a pioneering force in poker, both on and off the table.
Now, in his 60s, and after a poker career spanning some 30 years, his peers have honored Mike Sexton, author, commentator, player and pioneer, last month becoming the latest inductee into the Poker Hall of Fame. There he takes his place alongside such luminaries as Doyle Brunson, Chip Reese and his old pal, Stu Ungar.
While he may not have the long list of major cashes needed to cement his place in the Hall of Fame, Mike’s work off the table surely contributed to his inclusion. A brief scan down the list of criteria finds a firm ‘check’ positioned next to each stipulation: A player must have played poker against acknowledged top competition (check); played for high stakes (check); played consistently well, gaining the respect of peers (check); stood the test of time (check); contributed to the overall growth and success of the game of poker, with indelible positive and lasting results (a resounding check).
Like a monolith signaling the emergence of a new chapter in poker history, Mike’s been there. From aligning himself to fledgling online outfit PartyPoker in the early part of the decade (he’s since been re-signed to the site), to fronting and helping develop a new TV hit in the ‘World Poker Tour’ in 2002 (whatever happened to that, eh?) to adjudicating and supporting players (he was the key arbitrator between the WSOP organizers and the unlucky players not to get into Day 1D of the Main Event this summer) – Sexton is ever-present.
As the ever-smiling poker ambassador takes to his commentary seat yet again at the helm of the World Poker Tour coverage, we thought it was high time we caught up with him to ask him about honors, turnouts and the future of the game.
Mike, how does it feel to be inducted into the Hall of Fame? Honored, humbled, bemused?
Obviously, it's a great honor to be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. And what really makes it special is that this year, for the first time, a “process" was involved that included the fans, the media, and the Hall of Fame members. Being voted in, accepted, and best of all, welcomed by the Hall of Famers themselves means the most to me.
Past years have seen two recipients accepted at the same time, but not this year. Did you feel anyone else on the list should have come in with you?
I was as surprised as anyone that I was the only inductee this year. Honestly, I feel the other nominees are extremely worthy of being Poker Hall of Famers and I have no doubt that many, if not all of them, will be joining me one day.
Who do you think we’ll see inducted next year and who would you like to see?
Well, you can pretty much start with the nominees that weren't inducted this year. I'm certain that two or three of those guys will get in next year - and deservedly so. We all know that Phil Ivey and Daniel Negreanu are "slam dunks" to get in the Poker Hall of Fame in the future, but many think they need to be older to get in. Someone said that perhaps the HOF should adopt a "Chip Reese Rule." [Chip is the youngest person to ever make the HOF at the age of 40.] This rule would not allow anyone into the HOF until they're at least 40 years old. I'm not sure I agree with that, but it would certainly make nominations and voting much easier.
Who do you most admire in the Hall of Fame and why?
I admire Chip Reese the most, not only because I think he’s the best all-around player ever, but because he handled himself with such class on and off the table. I truly respect and appreciate all the poker legends, especially Stu Ungar, Doyle Brunson, Puggy Pearson, and Johnny Moss.
What would you class as your proudest achievements in the game, both on and off the table?
On the table it would probably be my win at the 2006 WSOP Tournament of Champions. That was special because when it came down to three-handed, it was myself, Mike Matusow (the defending champion) and Daniel Negreanu (the most successful tournament player of all time.) Incredibly, Daniel and I played seven hours of heads-up play before I prevailed. My greatest 'joy' in poker came when I won my WSOP bracelet in 1989 [in the Stud 8-or-Better event.) That was the game I was playing every day for a living back then and it was 'my' World Championship. And truthfully, I thought I played perfect poker that day. Off the table, as far as greatest achievements, I was the creator and founder of two mega events in the poker world. The first was the original Tournament of Champions and the second was the PartyPoker Million. I loved both of those events – and the players did too.
Where will the live scene be in a few years’ time? Are there too many live events and has the WSOP gotten too big, or is it a case of, “the more, the merrier”?
I believe we'll see another huge 'poker boom' in the U.S. when they legalize and regulate online poker, which I definitely think is going to happen. When that occurs, all the mega events like those on the WPT and at the WSOP will be able to fill as many seats as the venue can hold because players will be able to qualify online for a small amount of money - and thousands will be doing just that. And because of the potentially huge large fields, I see the WSOP Main Event going to regional qualifying before getting to Vegas for the final. For example, you'll have to qualify in Europe, South America, and other areas around the globe as well as the North, South, East, and West in the U.S. Doing this would make that event much more elite and even more special than it is now.
Let’s talk a little about the WPT. How did you first get involved with the Tour?
Steve Lipscomb took [fellow pro] Linda Johnson and I out to lunch while we were in Costa Rica in 2001, explaining his dream of creating the WPT, and wanting our thoughts. Well, we loved his ideas and thought it could be done. We set up Steve’s inaugural meetings with Lyle Berman who became the financier of the WPT and then helped Steve with getting casinos to sign up -something that have never been done before in the gaming world.
What are the biggest changes you’ve seen since the Tour began, both in the Tour itself and poker in general?
I like that the perception of poker has changed since the “TV boom.” Most people thought poker was something that happened in the back of a smoke-filled pool hall, but now they see multi-million dollar tournaments in the most lavish casino properties in the world. And they recognize that poker is a game of skill. The growth, popularity, and appreciation of poker has been the nicest thing to see as well as players getting endorsement deals now.
Can the WPT ever produce the same stars as it did all those years ago - the Negreanus, the Esfandiaris etc?
The guys who won in the early years of the WPT are truly the most well-known and recognized poker players on the planet right now. They won televised events at the right time to get endorsement deals and media exposure. Nowadays, it’s much tougher for players to become well known and to get sponsorship deals, even though they could well be better players.
What are your favorite WPT moments as a commentator?
Well, the first event at the Bellagio [the Five Star Classic in 2002] was special. That final table included Scotty Nguyen, John Hennigan, Freddie Deeb, all who became WPT champions, as well as John Juanda, who finished runner-up. The winner – Gus Hansen – is a star now of course and has won more WPT events than anyone in history. But possibly my favorite moment was when the Godfather of Poker, Doyle Brunson, won the Legends of Poker tournament at the Bicycle Casino in 2004.
What’s your most exciting heads-up to commentate on and why?
In the 2008 WPT World Championship, tough pro David Chiu started a 5-1 chip disadvantage to Gus Hansen and then came back to win! That was pretty astonishing.
Who’s the best player on the Tour never to win a title?
Phil Hellmuth.
Who’s the greatest champion you’ve seen crowned over the past seven seasons?
That would be Doyle Brunson – and he did it at 72 years young.
Why is the WPT so enduring? Was it purely a case of the hole-cam revolution, the generation of players it spawned, or simply a case of good timing?
First of all, without the WPT hole cam, there would be no World Poker Tour (or any other televised poker event.) Allowing the viewer to see what the players had and to second guess their decisions or wonder what they would do in that situation is what makes the show so special. The WPT is reality TV at its finest. It’s real people that have put up real money and really are playing for a million dollars! And it is life-changing money on the turn of a card.
Have you ever improved your own game by watching the players?
I’ve definitely become a better player by watching all the great players on the WPT and I’d say everyone can become a better player by watching the WPT. Having seen every final table, I see who’s winning and more importantly, why they’re winning. Great players understand that fame and fortune come with winning and they aren’t trying to “get into the money” as most players are. They try to gather chips from the get-go and don’t worry about being eliminated early. They understand that chips are power and if they get to the final table, they’ll have the chips and a good shot to win.
The Borgata Open recently scored a huge hit with over 1,000 runners. Was that solely down to the reduced buy-in and if so, is there a case for dropping it in future without diminishing the prestige of the Tour?
I don’t think dropping the entry fees in certain locations will diminish the prestige of the Tour. The event at Borgata had a $3,500 buy-in with over 1,000 runners – meaning the prize money was as large as other WPT events. Lowering the buy-ins gives more players a chance to play, it allows players to play cheaper super satellites to get in, and brings more players into the casino. And with the economic times as they are, lowering the buy-ins makes sense.
At the WSOP this year you were quite vocal in the campaign to allow more players into Day 1D of the Main Event. Is there a case for saying it was the players’ fault for not registering for earlier days, or do you feel generally it’s the players’ right to wait and see how many register for the first three days?
I believe both the players and the WSOP were at fault for this unfortunate incident. The WSOP should have simply announced that if players didn’t sign up early, they may have gotten shut out on Monday. And both players and the WSOP should have recognized that it was the 4th of July weekend, that many players would want to spend the holiday weekend with their families and play on Monday. I really felt for the players who got shut out but I understood the reasoning behind it. In the end it was probably the right decision.
Do you think the amount of side action at this year’s Series was detrimental to the game itself, as the organizers suggested, or are prop bets always good for the game?
I don’t believe it’s good for TV tables because it probably confuses viewers. From a player’s point of view, props probably are good for the game because players may be focusing more on the props than the game and whoever is losing at props could “steam” a little.
We’re in the process here at WPT Poker of compiling the “Top 50 Cardrooms in the World.” What would your own top 5 be?
Wow, that’s a tough one. Because I live in Vegas and most of the high stakes action takes place at the Bellagio, I would rate that room at the top. And certainly, the places we go to on the WPT have terrific poker rooms. That includes the Commerce Casino, the Bicycle Casino, Borgata, and Bay 101.
Any comments on the current political situation in the US? How do you see it going the next five years? State-to-state regulation on online poker or something different?
Like everyone, it’s frustrating to see how the political world works, especially when it comes to passing laws against (UIGEA) and now in trying to legalize online poker. I believe it is going to happen, it’s just a matter of when and whether or not it will be on a state-by-state basis or approved nationally.
AND FINALLY…
What’s your dream poker table – you and five figures from history, alive or dead?
My favorite all-time table would probably consist of Stu Ungar, Phil Ivey, Doyle Brunson, Johnny Moss, Puggy Pearson, Daniel Negreanu, Gus Hansen and me!
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I really didn’t know what I wanted to be when I was growing up or when I went to college for that matter. I came close to making a career in the military as unlike most people, I really liked the Army. I would also have been happy teaching ballroom dance classes (like my father did for 40 years.)
Hollywood is making Mike Sexton: A Life in Poker - who’s playing the lead?
Matt Damon will do.
Favorite young up ‘n’ coming player on the scene right now?
There are so many great young players out there now. I’m really impressed with the 21 year old who won the WPT World Championship this year, Yevgeniy Timoshenko. I can’t get over the fact that he’d won over $2,000,000 in live tournaments before he ever played a WSOP event. That’s incredible!
When was the last time you cried?
I cry a fair amount just staring at my one-year-old son, Ty. I realize how lucky I am to have such a healthy, happy little boy. I’m also aware that my wife Karen should be in the Mother’s Hall of Fame. She is such a fantastic mother.
You’re famous for being a nice guy. When was the last time you really lost it?
I’m not really sure. Perhaps my wife could tell you [laughs.]
Vince van Patten - jock or genius?
Vince is certainly a jock. He’s still a great athlete even though he’s 50 years old. By the way, if any poker players want to take him on on the tennis courts for money, give me a call. I’ve had a great time working with Vince and we’re now in our 8th season on the WPT. It’s been fantastic.
Finally, you now find yourself alongside friend Stu Ungar in the Hall of Fame. Do you think he’s up there somewhere smiling down in recognition?
I think Stuey would be very pleased. |
