The story of how I lost ten bottles of Scotch to Phil Hellmuth
Poker player Todd Anderson recalls the amusing story of betting on basketball shots with Phil Hellmuth at a steakhouse in Pittsburgh, which ended with him losing ten bottles of Scotch whisky. Hellmuth hit a difficult long-range shot at a critical moment, showcasing the competitive spirit of a professional poker player.
The greatest clutch basketball shot I've ever seen was not made by a basketball player, but by professional poker player Phil Hellmuth. It all started at a steakhouse in Pittsburgh, after a day of filming for Poker Night.
That evening, a group of us gathered over steaks and conversation. Somehow, the topic turned to basketball. Hellmuth claimed he was a decent shooter in his youth, and I was skeptical. So we made a bet: if he could sink a long-range shot from near the restaurant's back door, I'd owe him ten bottles of scotch; if he missed, he'd buy dessert for everyone.
The restaurant had a basketball hoop, but it wasn't standard. Hellmuth stood about 20 feet from the basket, at a sharp angle. He took a deep breath, adjusted his stance, and let it fly. The ball arced through the air and swished through the net cleanly. The place erupted in cheers. Hellmuth turned around with a grin, as if he'd just won a massive pot at the WSOP Main Event.
A bet is a bet. The next day, I ordered ten bottles of scotch and had them delivered to his house. That taught me never to underestimate a professional poker player's competitive spirit—whether at the table or away from it.
FAQ
- The story takes place at a steakhouse in Pittsburgh, after the filming of the Poker Night show.