Mike Sexton Poker Hall of Fame Inductee 2009

When Mike Sexton was nominated as one of the possible inductees in Pokers Hall of Fame there was universal acceptance in the poker world that this man was suitable for the induction. Subsequently the public vote chose to agree with the sentiment of the poker community and Mike was inducted into Pokers Hall of Fame during the dinner break of the WSOP final table on November 8th 2009. His WPT commentary with Vince Van Patten “has made poker” according to T.J. Cloutier and Patten considers that they could “go on for 25 years” in commentating together on the programme. This year was the first year that the hall of fame inductee was decided by a public vote.

A testament to the high regard in which Mike Sexton has within the poker world is that he beat the likes of Men the Master, Erik Seidel, Phil Ivey, Dan Harrington and Daniel Negreanu for the place in the Hall of Fame. Whilst it is very likely most if not all of these players will eventually be in the Poker Hall of Fame, for Mike to beat them in a public vote says all you need to know about the man they call the “poker ambassador”.

Mike Sexton was a gymnast whilst at school and attended The Ohio State University where he majored in Public recreation after transferring from Business. He played a lot of poker whilst at college and often jokes that his real major was Poker Studies. Whilst at college he also played a lot of Contract Bridge and has even taught classes on the game. In 1985 he became a full time poker player and was close friends with poker legend Stu Ungar during his turbulent life. At Ungars funeral in 1998 Sexton was a pallbearer and also gave a moving eulogy in memory of his friend.

At the 1989 World Series of Poker Mike managed to win a bracelet in the $1,500 Seven Card Stud Split event and has another 44 cashes which account for over $850,000 of his overall poker tournament winnings of $3.7 million. In 2006 he won the tournament of Champions for $1 million beating Daniel Negreanu heads up for the title and gave 50% of his post tax winnings to charity. He has pledged to do the same with all of his future winnings and in 2009 set up pokergives.org as a charity for poker players to donate to.

Despite his great success as a player it is in the commentary he gives for the World Poker Tour that he is best known for in poker by the public. His very distinctive voice and chemistry with co-commentator Vince Van Patten makes for fantastic poker viewing. In his role as PartyGaming spokesperson he oversaw the brand buying the WPT for $12.3 million, a move which will see the WPT travel around the world hosting events. There has already been one event in Marrakech in Morocco with more worldwide events in the offing.

Mike wrote an article on pokernewsdaily.com which he discussed his immediate feelings after being inducted and you can tell just how proud he is of this achievement. You can read that poker article here. Mike says that “being inducted into the Hall of Fame is an honour that he will cherish forever”. Many poker players are thankful for the continuing efforts that Mike Sexton makes in promoting poker and look forward to watching the eighth season of the World Poker Tour which is currently in production.

By Malcolm Clarke