Sock it to 'em Phil!

You gotta love Phil Hellmuth. No? Well, many don't but I gotta tell you I think the guy is a legend.

I have known Phil for a while now and it disappoints me that he doesn't get the respect he deserves. We are all lucky enough to be part of this poker boom and he has been a huge part of making it happen. To the casual player he is in the top three most recognised players in the world and has eleven WSOP bracelets... yes eleven. Regardless of the field size, this guy has done more for the game than perhaps anyone and he will always be the first person I call to invite on my shows.

Phil Hellmuth in action in PartyPoker.com Premier League IV

He has so much passion for the game and his reactions and explosions when losing a pot are genuine and occur only for the love of winning. He prepares right and is the ultimate professional and has some big ambitions for 2010 – and oh how well he has started. Two deep finishes in two high quality WPT's (including the Championship) and who can rule out a 12th bracelet at the series this year?

In a game where many can't be trusted, you can always count on Phil. He has never once let me down; always on time for interviews, always does his time in the commentary box and always gives a straight answer.

Anyway, that's quite enough praise for Mr Hellmuth. Someone else who has an equal amount of passion for the game is Luke Schwartz and I guess his blow up in the EPT High Rollers wasn't a surprise to many. Luke is another player I have gotten to know well over the past few years. I can't defend his actions in Monaco but all I can tell people is that he is a great guy who just has a big problem controlling his emotions. Maybe time will mature him but whatever happens he lays in that same bracket as Hellmuth when it comes to must haves in a TV show. Just wait til the Premier League.

Posted by : Eddie