Heads-Up Showdown: Opponent Flips Off Hellmuth, Then Wins Heated Round 1 Match

Phil HellmuthRound 1 of the 32-player $25,000 buy-in PokerGO Tour Heads-Up Showdown brought about 15 friendly matches, and one heated match involving Phil Hellmuth.

The "Poker Brat" was served a dose of his own medicine in a contentious battle against Eric Persson, whose vulgar antics may have actually worked in his favor. Hellmuth appeared to be on tilt even more so than normal, and this time it seemed to have had an effect on his game.

Can't Control their Emotions

Persson, a $10/$20 cash game player in Las Vegas and CEO of Maverick Gaming, would go on to win the back-and-forth battle, thanks in large part to the deck smacking him in the face. On the final hand, with the 16-time WSOP bracelet…