The World Poker Tour (WPT) has announced that it will be changing the name of one of its most prestigious honors. The WPT Champions Cup will now be called the Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup, named after the brand’s most popular commentator, and commonly known as “The Ambassador of Poker”.
About The Champions Cup
This is an important honor in the World Poker Tour, which is awarded at every WPT Main Tour event. Anyone who wins a marquee event has their named engraved on the Champions Cup, as well as receive a WPT bracelet.
The list of Champions Club members is exclusive, and includes big names like:
- Alex Foxen
- Joe Hachem
- Antonio Esfandiari
- Jake Cody
- Erik Seidel
- Phil Ivey
- Daniel Negreanu
Mike Sexton’s Poker Career
Mike Sexton’s career in the poker world began when he was in university, majoring in business. He joined the army in 1970 and, after he returned from Vietnam, he had plans to take up a career in sales but decided that he would be more prosperous as a poker player.
In 1985, he moved to Nevada to purse poker full-time. Over the course of his career, he cashed in 15 World Poker Tour events and landed himself a World Series of Poker bracelet. His live tournament winnings total $6.7 million.
In 2010, he took on his well-known role as a commentator for the World Poker Tour. He was beloved by players and viewers alike, who commonly quote his catchphrase: “may all your cards be live and all your pots be monsters”.
Sexton commentated for the WPT for 7 years, and eventually moved on to become a chairman at partypoker, which he helped to found in 2001. Still, he maintained a presence at the World Poker Tour, competing in several events around the world even in his role as a partypoker chairman.
The Ambassador of Poker
It’s unlikely that there’s any poker player in the world who doesn’t know Mike Sexton’s name. According to WPT CEO Adam Pliska, he’s the “greatest poker ambassador the world has ever known”. He continues:
“Mike Sexton embodies everything the World Poker Tour stands for. His class at the table, humility towards fans of the game, travel to all corners of the globe, and his contributions away from the table have all benefited the game we love”.
Sexton took to Twitter to express his gratitude
I was totally thrilled winning a WPT title & just getting my name engraved on the WPT Champions Cup. I truly didn’t think anything in poker could ever top being inducted into the Poker HOF, but to me, this does. “Thank you” WPT for this incredible honor. #wpt https://t.co/Mij0too7MW
— Mike Sexton (@Mike_partypoker) July 21, 2020
From the BeatTheFish team, congratulations Mike, on this well-deserved honor!
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Bethany has been working in online gambling for over 13 years. She got her start in the industry as her first job after graduating from the Professional Writing Program at York University. Having written for many online gaming publications and worked with top casino operators, she has unique insight into the gambling market. Bethany maintains a personal interest in iGaming as she continues to play poker online as a hobby.