Phil Hellmuth says that at the end of every year he asks himself how many bracelets he won and how many books he wrote.
He’s been shut out so far at the 2017 World Series of Poker but he can safely put a win in the book category.
Hellmuth released his first-ever autobiography in a special event at the Rio today. The 400+ page tome is titled simply: Poker Brat: Phil Hellmuth’s Autobiography.
The 14-WSOP bracelet winner signed copies for a collection of fans that gathered to buy the new book.
“I’m really excited about it,” he said between signings.
“I think people are going to like it because it’s completely honest and authentic.”
Hellmuth: “I Think People Will Be Able to Relate”
When asked why people should buy his book Hellmuth said he dishes about a number of topics that he’s discussed seldomly in the past.
The new book.
One such topic is about a certain online site that Hellmuth used to rep in the boom days.
“I talk about UltimateBet,” said Hellmuth. “I’ve got a 5,000 word chapter in there about it.”
Hellmuth also opened up about his marriage to Katherine Sanborn.
“I talk about how I almost left my wife in 2015,” he said.
“I also talk about how she almost left me in 2002 and the reasons why. I think people can relate to this kind of thing.”
Hellmuth, who claims he started writing the book in the ‘90s, also covers his early years growing up in the midwest before poker stardom.
“I struggled a lot in high school,” said Hellmuth.
The book won't be completely without strategy either as Hellmuth shares a few tips that helped get him to 14 WSOP bracelets.
“Hands Still Hurt from Writing”
In total Hellmuth has penned three other major poker books including Play Poker Like the Pros, Phil Hellmuth’s Texas Hold’em, Bad Beats and Lucky Draws but those are all mostly strategy titles.
The Brat endures.
This is Hellmuth’s first autobiography and he has high hopes for the book.
“Play Poker Like the Pros hit the New York Times Best Seller List,” he said.
“That was my first major poker book so that was nice. I really hope this one hits the list.”
The winter can be a slow period for poker pros and Hellmuth took advantage this year and wrote over 70,000 words of the 145k-word book in a period that went from November to February.
“Honestly my hands still hurt from writing it,” he said. “It was a labor of love. I enjoyed the process though.”
Also of note is that fellow poker superstar Daniel Negreanu handles the forward. Also interesting is that Hellmuth already has another book in the works titled “Positivity” that sounds like it will be ready for the presses sooner rather later.
Poker Brat Forever?
Hellmuth has matured ever so slightly the last few years, although he did blow up when French pro Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier bluffed him off trip queens earlier this WSOP, so it seems somewhat odd that he would title the book “Poker Brat” but he said it just fit.
“I gave the nickname to myself in the ‘90s,” he explain. “Poker writer Andy Glazer helped come up with it. It stuck of course.”
Is he still the Poker Brat though?
“Anyone who saw me whining in the $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em event last night knows the answer to that,” said Hellmuth.
You can pick up a copy of Hellmuth's new book on Amazon or at the book stand in the WSOP area of Rio.
