Paul Phillips (poker player)

infobox poker player
firstname=Paul
lastname=Phillips
nickname=Dot-Com


caption=Phillips at the 2005 World Series of Poker
hometown=Las Vegas, Nevada
wsop bracelet count="None"
wsop money finishes=8
wsop main event best finish rank="None"
wsop main event best finish year=
multi-year wsop winner=
wpt titles=1
wpt final tables=2
wpt money finishes=4

Paul Phillips (born August 9, 1972 in San Francisco, California) is an American professional poker player, although he has mostly become inactive in recent years, choosing to focus on Scrabble tournaments. cite web|url=http://www.pokerpressbox.com/Poker-Players/Paul-Phillips-Profile.html |title=Paul Phillips |accessdate=2008-04-28 |work=pokerpressbox.com ]

Programming

Phillips wrote the Boa web server while attending the University of California, San Diego, but no longer maintains it. In 1994, one of his colleagues at college discovered he had an interest in blackjack and subsequently introduced him to poker.

In 1996 he became Chief Technical Officer for "Go2Net". The money he earned from his compensation is what he uses to play poker, as well as earning him the nickname Dot-com.

Poker

Phillips is known as a controversial figure in the poker world. He was banned from competing in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in the early 2000s due to comments he made about the way in which the Horseshoe split entry money between players and casino employees. Despite being reinstated as a competitor in late 2001, he only played one event in 2002 (placing 2nd to John Juanda in the $1,500 triple draw lowball Ace to Five event).

Phillips played no WSOP events in 2003, but took first and second place in two World Poker Tour (WPT) events. In the event that he finished 2nd, he made a deal with his opponent (Mel "Silver Fox" Judah) which was subsequently covered by Sports Illustrated in an unfavorable light. Because of this, the WPT banned players from making deals in its tournaments. [ cite web|url=http://www.poker-babes.com/bio/paul-phillips/ |title=Paul Phillips |accessdate=2008-04-28 |last=Rosario |first=Shirley |publisher=poker-babes.com ] Despite choosing not to play in the WSOP, Phillips finished 2nd in the 2003 Tournament Poker Money List.cite web|url=http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/rank.php?a=r&n=136|title=2003 Tournament Poker Money List|publisher=The Hendon Mob|author=Butt, Robert|accessdate=2008-04-28] cite web|url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1029868/2/index.htm |title=The Prime-timing Of Texas Hold 'em |accessdate=2008-04-28 |last=Hoffer |first=Richard |date=2003-09-22 |work=Sports Illustrated |publisher=vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com ]

In 2004 he made three WSOP final tables (one in Omaha hi-lo split and two in no limit hold'em.)cite web|url=http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=1134|title=Paul Phillips - results|publisher=The Hendon Mob|author=Butt, Robert|accessdate=2008-04-28]

He spoke out against the inclusion of Phil Hellmuth Jr, Doyle "Texas Dolly" Brunson and Johnny "Oriental Express" Chan in the 2005 World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions, and subsequently became the subject of message board flame wars.

Phillips has played in both of the first two National Heads-Up Poker Championships, losing in second round play both years.

As of 2008, his total live tournament winnings exceed $2,300,000.cite web|url=http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=s&n=1134|title=Paul Phillips - Stats|publisher=The Hendon Mob|author=Butt, Robert|accessdate=2008-04-28]

Personal life

Phillips is married with two daughters, and has not played as many poker tournaments since 2005 to spend more time with his family. Phillips and his family recently relocated from Colorado to Bend, Oregon.

Phillips is also active amongst internet bulletin boards, plays tournament Scrabble and enjoys listening to They Might Be Giants.

References

External links

* [http://extempore.livejournal.com Paul Phillips's weblog] on livejournal
* [http://www.improving.org/paulp/ Paul Phillips's personal website]
* [http://www.pokerlizard.com/interviews/phillips.html PokerLizard.com Interview]
* [http://www.worldpokertour.com/Shared/Players/Bios/P/Paul_Phillips.aspx World Poker Tour Profile]