Mike Sexton was an iconic figure in the world of poker, celebrated for his contributions as both a player and a commentator. His career in poker was marked by significant achievements, including a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet and a World Poker Tour (WPT) title. Beyond his poker success, he was best known for his role as a longtime commentator alongside Vince van Patten on the WPT.
Biography
Mike Sexton was born in 1947 in Indiana, USA. He pursued an education at Ohio State University on a gymnastics scholarship before serving with the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division from 1970 to 1972. After his military service, he worked as a sales representative.
In 1977, Mike Sexton made the pivotal decision to become a professional poker player. Over time, he honed his skills and established himself as a formidable force in the poker world. In 1985, he made a permanent move to Las Vegas, which was a hub for professional poker players.
One of Sexton’s significant milestones came in 1989 when he clinched his first WSOP gold bracelet by winning the $1,500 Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo event, earning over $100,000. This victory was a testament to his skill and dedication to the game.
Throughout his poker career, Mike Sexton amassed several tournament titles and achievements, including wins at events like the 1992 Foxwood’s World Poker Finals, 1996 Four Queens Poker Classic, 1997 Four Queens Poker Classic, 2000 Grand Prix de Paris, and the prestigious 2006 WSOP Tournament of Champions.
Role at partypoker and WPT Commentary
Mike Sexton’s contributions to the poker world extended beyond playing the game. He made a significant impact on the industry when he transitioned into a role at partypoker. Sexton served as the Chairman of partypoker, a position he embraced after leaving his commentary role at the WPT in 2017.
Sexton cherished both roles, referring to them as “the two best jobs in poker.” His involvement with partypoker dated back to its early days, even before the platform had a name. He played an integral role in the growth of partypoker during the poker boom, earning recognition as one of the key figures behind its success.
In his own words, Sexton reflected on his journey with partypoker: “I was at partypoker from the start, before there was even a name or a single virtual card was dealt. I experienced the crazy times of the poker boom when we became the No. 1 site in the world.”
He fondly remembered the early days of partypoker when the team worked tirelessly to launch the software, and he even recalled the first partypoker Million event held on a cruise ship, which featured a substantial overlay of $500,000.
Legacy and Honors
Mike Sexton’s impact on the poker community was immeasurable. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2009, a testament to his enduring influence on the game. Shortly before his passing in September 2020 due to prostate cancer, the WPT Champions Cup was renamed to the Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup as a tribute to his contributions to the World Poker Tour.
Mike Sexton’s legacy lives on in the hearts of poker players and fans worldwide, and his name will forever be associated with the game he loved and helped shape.