👉 "The truth behind Mike Sexton's death."

👉 "The truth behind Mike Sexton's death."

Mike Sexton was often called the "Ambassador of Poker." 

Beloved poker commentator and champion Mike Sexton, nicknamed the “Ambassador of Poker” for his lifelong promotion of the game, has died at 72.

World Poker Tour and partypoker, an online poker company Sexton cofounded, confirmed his death. ≈

Here's a more detailed look at his life and death:

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  Mike Sexton was often called the "Ambassador of Poker." 

  JB Lacroix/WireImage/Getty Images

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  Beloved poker commentator and champion Mike Sexton, nicknamed the “Ambassador of Poker” for his lifelong promotion of the game, has died at 72.

  World Poker Tour and partypoker, an online poker company Sexton cofounded, confirmed his death. Fellow poker champ Linda Johnson said Sexton “had been battling prostate cancer” that had spread to other organs shortly before his death

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• Sexton had a hand in every aspect of poker – broadcast, business and the game itself. Surviving poker greats say the game wouldn’t be as successful as it is today without his influence.

  

  Mike Sexton helped found partypoker, a successful online cards table. 

  Alexandre Rotenberg/Zuma

  Sexton was a longtime commentator for World Poker Tour, which hosts international televised tournaments, with broadcasting partner Vince Van Patten.

  As a player, he won nearly $7 million since his debut in the 1980s. His competitors hardly winced when he’d take their chips because he was so widely liked, actress and poker player Jennifer Tilly tweeted after learning of his death.

  After nearly 15 years of commentating for World Poker Tour, Sexton won his own World Poker Tour title in 2016. That victory was special for how long it took Sexton to achieve it – something out of a movie, partypoker player Jaime Staples tweeted.

  
  

  He wrote two books, founded a nonprofit for players to donate to veterans causes and Las Vegas communities, and created partypoker. Sexton coached Little League baseball and even skipped poker tournaments if they interfered with his baseball schedule. In 2008, he had a son, Ty, at age 61.

  One year after his son’s birth, he was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. It was one of the highest honors he’d received in his career, he said, second only to the World Poker Tour’s decision to rename its Champions Cup after him.

  In a tribute blog, pro Phil Hellmuth said the game is indebted to Sexton.

  “Poker would not be as well regarded as it currently is without Mike Sexton,” Hellmuth wrote. “Mike has been the consummate gentleman, and has championed poker better than anyone else.”

  Upon learning of his death, many of Sexton’s friends and fans have shared Sexton’s famous sign-off: “May all of your cards be live, and may all of your pots be monsters.”

• • Poker Career:

    Sexton was a prominent figure in the poker world, known for his commentary on the World Poker Tour and his role as a player. 
  • WPT Commentator:

    He served as a commentator for the World Poker Tour, alongside Vince Van Patten, for nearly 15 years, helping to popularize the game. 
  • Partypoker:

    Sexton was also involved in the online poker world, having served as chairman of the online poker site partypoker. 
  • Poker Hall of Fame:

    He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2009, a testament to his contributions to the game. 
  • Death:

    Sexton passed away peacefully at home on September 6, 2020, surrounded by family, after a battle with prostate cancer that had spread to other organs. 
  • Legacy:

    He is remembered as "The Ambassador of Poker" for his lifelong promotion of the game. 
  • Surviving Family:

    He is survived by his son, Ty. 
  • • Legacy:

      He is remembered as "The Ambassador of Poker" for his lifelong promotion of the game. 
    • Surviving Family:

      He is survived by his son, Ty. 
    • Tributes:

      Many in the poker community paid tribute to Sexton, including Phil Hellmuth, who said the game is indebted to him. 
    • Sign-off:

      Sexton's famous sign-off, "May all of your cards be live, and may all of your pots be monsters," was shared by many upon learning of his passing