Hellmuth Lives Up To Poker Brat Moniker, WSOP Responds

The 39th annual World Series of Poker Main Event is winding down. Last night ended the 9th day of action (although it was officially “Day 5″) and there were still some pros in the field. Most notably, Mike “the Mouth” Matusow, Brandon Cantu, Victor Ramdin and of course Phil Hellmuth.

Hellmuth lived up to his nickname of “The Poker Brat” on Saturday night by excessively berating a fellow player. This is against WSOP’s rules and Hellmuth was issued a one-round penalty of sitting out the first nine hands on Sunday’s Day 6.

Hellmuth, who made another grand entrance this year, got out of his punishment though after a meeting with WSOP officials. Here is the official response from the WSOP today:

This morning Phil Hellmuth met with Jack Effel, WSOP Tournament Director, Howard Greenbaum, Harrah’s Regional Vice President for Specialty Gaming, and Jeffrey Pollack, Commissioner of the WSOP.  Based on that meeting and an official review of the situation, it was decided that the penalty imposed on Mr. Hellmuth at the conclusion of play last night was excessive.

“Warnings and penalties are intended to correct inappropriate behavior and our rulings should be as fair as possible, given the circumstances,” said Pollack. “In this instance, the punishment did not fit the crime.”

“Phil has now been warned and put on notice in a way that he never has been,” Pollack added.