Mike Sexton's Pokerography: An Ambassador's Life

Mike Sexton’s importance in poker can never really be understated, the long-time face of the World Poker Tour is widely accepted as the community’s ultimate ambassador of the game. The newest episode of Pokerography, available only on PokerGO, takes a look at all of his contributions over his career.

Sexton grew up in Ohio, attended Ohio State on a gymnastics scholarship and then enlisted in the Army after graduating at the height of the Vietnam war. Sexton learned to play poker at 13-years-old from his older brother and he’s been playing ever since.

Sexton avoided many of the vices players of the 80s and 90s succumbed to, and he’s visibly shaken during his interviews talking about peers Danny Roberson and Stuey Ungar’s addiction issues.

Sexton anchored every season of the WPT Commentator’s desk, until this year after accepting an executive role with partypoker – a company he helped launch in 2001. Sexton was inducted in the Poker Hall of Fame in 2009 after building an unrivaled resume as a player and broadcaster.

Mike Sexton usually dresses to the nines when playing poker. (Photo: PokerPhotoArchive.com)
Sexton’s success came with a dark side that most of the public wasn’t aware of – betting sports. “Truthfully, in my career there’s very few people in the poker industry, very few, that have made more money than me,” he said. “And to have gone through that money betting on sports makes me sick.”

“It’s a just a sad story that I still regret and am embarrassed about and hopefully someone can learn a lesson from my mistakes,” he added.

Sexton’s career had more highs than lows and be sure watch his compelling story only on PokerGO. Check out other recent Pokerography subjects Antonio Esfandiari, Chris Moneymaker and Jennifer Tilly.