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Phil Hellmuth calls out Ike Haxton for wearing a mask

Tags: face mask, high stakes, Ike Haxton, Phil Hellmuth.
Posted on 07 February 2024 by "T".

Phil Hellmuth could no longer contain his ire regarding a fellow high-stakes poker pro wearing a facemask at the poker table, clearly pointing out that except for rare circumstances, "no one should be able to cover their face."

In a two-hour interview with poker journalist Craig Tapscott of Poker.org, the 59-year-old discussed a list of various topics, and one of them is his view on facemasks being worn while playing at the felt.

He posted on his X/Twitter feed and explained the reason why facemasks and live poker don't mix together.

The Poker Brat wrote, "NO ONE should be able to cover their face, unless you use your own hands to do it. This isn't online poker. "Tells" matter in live poker: it is a skill to hide your tells and another skill to read your opponent's tells."

 

Hellmuth said in the interview that there's a significant benefit from wearing a facemask:
"That's just a tactic and a strategy; that's not good for poker.
He is one of the best right now, but he has to take that white mask off. He's using it to give himself an advantage.
When there's six people left in a tournament, you don't have any real concerns of Covid.
There are people that are just tell boxes, and maybe Ike Haxton is a tellbox."

Hellmuth's tweet sparked a heated debate on facemasks, a debate resurrected once again since it first appeared three years ago, as an aftermath of the pandemic.

While there were those who agreed with Hellmuth, there were those who strongly disagreed.
Shaun Deeb, winner of six WSOP gold bracelets, wrote:
"One of your worst takes ban hoody's sunglasses and hats all things you've used to your adv common Phil you're better than this take."

Ian Simpson, an 888poker ambassador, wrote:
"A humans right to reduce the severity and frequency of infections whilst enjoying their game outweighs your need to pick up on some live tells."

Erik Seidel, 10-time WSOP bracelet winner and 2010 Poker Hall of Famer, said:
"I don't know Phil, this smells like professional jealousy to me. It's the quality of his play that gives him an advantage. If you doubt that you should challenge him to a HU match no masks."

What do you think - Should poker players be allowed to wear masks at the table?


 


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94 comments on "Phil Hellmuth calls out Ike Haxton for wearing a mask"

Displaying only the 25 latest comments. To view all comments, please visit the forum thread:
» Phil Hellmuth calls out Ike Haxton for wearing a mask


 dule-vu26/02/2024 05:59:45 GMT
4 pages about mask! Read news and dont ask stupid things, especially when you write that he have mask " in the mouth" ?! What a hell! Everything just for 10 points!
 geseco1227/02/2024 05:06:36 GMT
Every player has the right to go play poker anywhere with any clothing, I hope that is clear, I think that for many years I have not heard tremendous atrocity from this player.
 dule-vu27/02/2024 05:59:49 GMT
What a spammer you are!
 geseco1228/02/2024 12:37:47 GMT
Those who do not know the game of poker will always tend to criticize for anything, those who truly dedicate themselves to their game in particular are the ones who win in the end, this player spends his life criticizing others and does not look at himself in the same way. what you are doing wrong.
 dule-vu28/02/2024 12:48:41 GMT
again same thing!
 geseco1229/02/2024 17:18:46 GMT
It is a reality in the world of poker and in any field, the people closest to your environment are the ones who speak badly about you the most, this player should respect his colleague and not be speaking badly since it does not affect one person but rather a whole community.
 dule-vu29/02/2024 17:19:04 GMT
4 pages about same!
 geseco1201/03/2024 22:48:26 GMT
They should sanction this player, always the same. What he creates is a bad vibe for this great sport like poker, instead of expanding he does the opposite with his comments.
 dule-vu01/03/2024 22:49:04 GMT
Samd comment every day...
And so many other threads, but only important are points!
 geseco1202/03/2024 23:23:31 GMT
The best is yet to come, poker is always one of everyone's favorite sports, but we should not ruin it with mediocre comments like this player criticizing another, the rules are to be respected
 dule-vu02/03/2024 23:29:28 GMT
Boring...
 Stqrm03/03/2024 14:42:35 GMT
Crazy things happening!
 CALICUL03/03/2024 15:35:24 GMT
it's crazy when people offend, otherwise people who can have other opinions. This is not nice. We just must to have a normal dialogue and if we don't agree with something, we have to stay calm without offending.
 geseco1205/03/2024 16:47:06 GMT
That's how it has to be, but unfortunately there are many people who don't behave that way, instead of being able to have a dialogue they do the opposite, I think there should be sanctions for that.
 dule-vu05/03/2024 17:01:22 GMT
Yeah
 geseco1207/03/2024 00:32:12 GMT
They should sanction those types of players who foster disunity between players. That makes the community not grow and becomes somewhat tense, poker is a game where we have to have a good time, have fun, which is the most important thing.
 CALICUL07/03/2024 00:35:36 GMT
no, my friend, there is no need for sanctions, but there must be respect and the mask must be taken off because it is useless. He could have worn something else on his face, so that his features could not be seen, but that mask is a shame that does not protect...
 geseco1208/03/2024 02:28:13 GMT
Everyone has their opinion on the matter, everyone is free to go and play in a poker tournament with whatever clothing they like best. Furthermore, are there norms or rules that prohibit covering your face with a mask? I don't know that rule.
 dule-vu08/03/2024 06:02:36 GMT
This become boring to talk so much mask just for points and we have lot of emtpty new threads!
 geseco1210/03/2024 03:11:05 GMT
But this thread is very important, because that way we will know how the best players behave in this regard, what things should be improved, what things to learn from each other and what not, that serves as an example for many.
 dule-vu10/03/2024 04:53:29 GMT
Yeah, especially when you talk about it for 5 pages! Phil will read your posts and maybe he will start collecting points!
 alienat3d12/03/2024 19:36:48 GMT
Lol, "Poker Brad" has stayed the same for so many years. He is funny. And a great tournament poker player too. Despite all the controversial things he says and how he sometimes acts, he is the real beast at tournament poker. Hey, he is the guy who has won the most WSOP bracelets ever and with 17 bracelets, he is 7 bracelets ahead of 2nd, 3rd and 4th place, which are Brunson, Chan and Ivey, all with 10 bracelets. Smile
 CALICUL12/03/2024 20:56:13 GMT
yes, he is a skilled player but he offends. This is probably another strategy of his to annoy the opponent and read him better. I don't know this, but a journalist could ask him why he offends other players.
 SickCallJoe01/05/2024 04:10:03 GMT
I like this mask and I think he can do whatever he wants. It's his business and no one else's and Phil Helmut is known to be a crybaby anyway. It is also very tilt-inducing by ike
 dule-vu01/05/2024 05:54:20 GMT
Why do you find this old threads in last days?

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