MIKE
SEXTON
Mike Sexton is well
respected in the poker world as both a player
and an industry leader. He’s been a professional
poker player for over 30 years, and is a
commentator on the World Poker Tour (WPT), now
in its eigth season.
Sexton
is a poker visionary who is considered one of
the premiere ambassadors of poker. He was
presented what many consider the most
prestigious award in poker, the “Poker
Ambassador Award” at the Card Player of the Year
Awards Banquet in Hollywood, CA, in February
2006. He also received the Paralyzed Veterans of
America’s highest award (the Patriot Award) in
August 2008, for his support of the PVA, and
hosting the annual “Go All-In for Veterans”
poker tournament in Washington, D.C. with all
proceeds going to the PVA.
Sexton
is noted for creating two mega events in the
poker world. He was the Founder of poker’s
Tournament of Champions (TOC) and the creator of
the PartyPoker Million. He was a feature
columnist for Card Player magazine for 10 years
and a contributing columnist for Gambling Times,
Gaming Today, Casino Online magazine, and Casino
Times. In 2004, Sexton wrote ‘Shuffle Up and
Deal’ which made the NY Times best-seller list.
He conducts poker seminars throughout the
country and is the primary instructor for the
WPT Boot Camp. He also serves as a
spokesperson/consultant for PartyGaming.
Sexton
has won numerous championships in the poker
world including titles at the World Series of
Poker, the Legends of Poker, the World Poker
Finals, the LA Poker Classic, the Four Queens
Classic, the Euro Finals of Poker, the
California State Championship, Reno’s Pot of
Gold, the Orleans Open, the Super Bowl of Poker,
the America’s Cup of Poker, and he won a special
$20,000 buy-in ‘Speed Poker’ tournament at the
Australian Poker Championships in 2005. He has
also captured four Best All-Around Player
awards.
In
addition to his 1989 WSOP bracelet, he won the
2006 WSOP Tournament of Champions title (where
he won $1,000,000 and donated $500,000 to
charity). He is in 12th place all-time for
‘number of times in the money’ at the WSOP and
is tied for 2nd for most cashes (8) in the WSOP
main event. His lifetime tournament earnings
exceed $3.7M.
Sexton
attended Ohio State University on a full
gymnastic scholarship (1965-69). Following
college, he joined the Army and served as a
paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. Prior
to becoming a professional poker player in 1977,
Sexton worked as a sales rep, ballroom dance
teacher, and bridge teacher.
Sexton
was elected into the Poker Hall of Fame on
November 7, 2009.
He is 62
and resides in Thousand Oaks, CA with his wife
Karen and son, Ty Michael (born August 21,
2008).
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Jan Fisher
- BIO | Linda Johnson
- BIO | Lisa
Tenner - BIO
