The world of poker is mourning the loss of Mike Sexton who has done so much for the game over the years as an accomplished poker pro, legendary WPT commentator, Poker Hall of Famer and chairman of partypoker.
Sexton had been in hospice care since August but opted not to disclose details about his deteriorating health. His battle with prostate cancer only came to light in early September when his close friends shared the news on social media based on his request.
News of his passing was shared by his friend and fellow inductee to the Poker Hall of Fame Linda Johnson. The First Lady of Poker tweeted on September 7 announcing that the poker legend passed away at peace surrounded by his family. Johnson asked the poker community to keep Sexton’s family in their thoughts and prayers as they mourn his death. Confirmation about Sexton’s terminal illness also came from Johnson, and she said she was authorized to speak on his behalf.
Tributes Pour in for Poker’s Greatest Ambassador
Tributes to Sexton have been pouring in since last week, when it was reported that he was receiving hospice care. A number of poker pros consider him as poker’s greatest ambassador, the person who had helped big time in taking poker to a fresh era of prominence. WSOP bracelet all-time leader Phil Hellmuth said no one could ever get above Sexton in terms of championing poker.
Johnson remembers Sexton as the kindest and humblest person she has ever met. She said she treasures all the memories she was able to create with the poker legend over the past 30 years.
Sexton’s Impressive Poker Career
Sexton started out as a poker player and spent two decades perfecting his skills at the tables. It was during this time that he met Steve Lipscomb, who would later establish the World Poker Tour (WPT).
Following the WPT’s tour launch, Sexton served as commentator, alongside his long-time partner at the broadcast booth, Vince Van Patten. Sexton became the official voice of poker, bringing intense final action from the live tournament scene to spectators at home.
For 15 years, Sexton’s role as commentator helped build the careers of some of today’s top pros. He willingly shared his knowledge of the game and supported budding players while they were making their own names in the poker arena.
Sexton also helped launch the partypoker online poker room. He was part of the founding team and made a major contribution to the site’s presence in the US, prior to legislation that banned online poker in America. The partypoker name was actually his idea. As poker domain expert, he helped partypoker to become what it is right now – one of the biggest and most prominent poker brands in the world.
He was the face of the first-ever partypoker Millions tournament which was eventually featured on film and television. After serving as commentator for the WPT for more than a decade, Sexton returned to partypoker to fulfill the role of chairman.
Sexton was inducted to the Poker Hall of Fame in 2009 as recognition for his massive contribution to the overall growth of the game. His impact will forever remain in the poker world and the WPT Champions Cup which was recently named after him will cement this legacy.
As a poker pro, Sexton was among the most highly-accomplished with more than $6.7 million in live tournament earnings. He had one gold bracelet and one WPT title to his name. He took down the $1,500 7-card stud hi-lo event during the 1989 WSOP, and then captured the 2016 WPT Montreal. Among his biggest scores was a ninth-place finish in the 2012 Big One for One Drop, where he took home $1,109,333.
Sexton left a legacy in the world of poker that will always be cherished and treasured by the people whose lives he touched. Sexton’s family have released a statement about his passing which can be found here.