Mike Sexton

Michael Richard Sexton was born on September 22, 1947, in Dayton, Ohio. He attended Ohio State University on a gymnastics scholarship and earned a degree in public recreation after changing his major from business. Sexton joked that he majored in poker because he played frequently in college. He also regularly played contract bridge and taught classes on it in North Carolina.

Sexton joined the U.S. Army as a paratrooper assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division in 1970. The division had just returned from Vietnam and Sexton never saw combat. While in the army, he taught ballroom dancing, and one of his clients convinced him to try being a salesman. He continued sales after his two-year enlistment, but soon realized he could make more money playing poker. He took up poker professionally in 1977 and moved to Nevada in 1985 to pursue it full-time. Sexton was a close friend of poker legend Stu Ungar and served as a pallbearer and speaker at Ungar's funeral.

Sexton won his only WSOP bracelet in 1989 in the $1,500 Seven-Card Stud Split event, earning $104,400. Over his career, he made 23 WSOP final tables and had 59 money finishes. His highest Main Event finish was 12th place in 2000. In 2006, he won the WSOP Tournament of Champions for $1,000,000, defeating Daniel Negreanu with aces against queens. In 2012, he finished 9th in the $1,000,000 buy-in Big One for One Drop, earning $1,109,333 – the largest cash of his career. His total WSOP cashes exceeded $2.6 million from 72 cashes, and his overall live tournament earnings were over $6.7 million. He also finished 16th in the 2013 $111,111 One Drop High Roller for $208,968. In his final WSOP in 2019, he partnered with game show contestant James Holzhauer.

Sexton was the lead commentator for the World Poker Tour (WPT) alongside Vince Van Patten for the first 15 seasons. He also competed in WPT events, recording 17 cashes and 4 final tables. In November 2016, he won the WPT Montreal Main Event, besting a field of 648 entries to take the $317,896 first prize. At the time of his death, his career WPT earnings were $1,011,725. Shortly before his passing, the WPT Champions Cup was renamed the Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup. He also founded the now-defunct Tournament of Champions of Poker.

Sexton left the WPT commentary booth in 2017 to become chairman of partypoker, a role he called one of "the two best jobs in poker" alongside commentary. He had been with partypoker from the beginning, even coming up with the name. He continued playing poker into his 70s, including a deep run in the 2019 WSOP Closer. Sexton also wrote articles for Card Player Magazine and the Gambling Times, and authored the book Shuffle Up and Deal, considered a classic for beginners.

Sexton was known for a solid, disciplined playing style that emphasized fundamentals and mathematics. He was a mentor to many players and a prolific promoter of the game. His legacy as "The Ambassador of Poker" endures through his contributions as a player, commentator, and promoter. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2009. Sexton passed away on September 6, 2020, from prostate cancer at age 72. He was posthumously honored with the renaming of the WPT Champions Cup.

Sexton was actively involved in charitable causes throughout his life. He participated in numerous charity poker events, including the Ante Up for Africa tournament and other fundraisers for various organizations. He also served on the board of the Poker Hall of Fame and supported initiatives to grow the game. His charitable efforts were recognized by the poker community, and he often donated his time and winnings to help those in need.

Sexton was married to his wife, who survived him. He had a son, Ty, from a previous relationship. In his later years, he battled prostate cancer, which ultimately led to his death on September 6, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at age 72. His passing was widely mourned, with tributes from fellow players, fans, and organizations. He was remembered for his kindness, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to poker.