Mike Sexton biography
Mike Sexton was born on September 22, 1947, in Dayton, Ohio, and joined the U.S. Army in 1970 as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, teaching ballroom dancing during his two-year enlistment without seeing combat. After working as a salesman, he transitioned to professional poker in 1977 and relocated to Nevada full-time in 1985.
Sexton won his lone WSOP gold bracelet in 1989 in a Seven-Card Stud Split event, and went on to accumulate nearly $5.7 million in career tournament earnings, including a career-best $1,109,333 for a 9th-place finish in the 2012 "Big One for One Drop." His greatest impact on the game, however, came from the broadcast booth: as lead commentator on the World Poker Tour alongside Vince Van Patten for the show's first fifteen seasons, Sexton played a central role in poker's mainstream television boom of the 2000s, earning the nickname "Ambassador of Poker" for his tireless promotion of the game, formally recognized at the 2006 Card Player Player of the Year Awards Gala.
He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2009. Sexton died on September 6, 2020, in Las Vegas at age 72 from prostate cancer, mourned across the poker world as one of its most beloved and influential figures.
Career summary
The "Ambassador of Poker," a WSOP bracelet winner and Poker Hall of Famer whose World Poker Tour commentary helped bring the game to mainstream television.
Mike Sexton poker winnings
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | WSOP $1,500 Seven-Card Stud Splitbracelet | 1st | $104,400 |
| 2012 | WSOP $1,000,000 Big One for One Droplargest career cash | 9th | $1,109,333 |
Verified live tournament earnings: $5,700,000+, plus 1 WSOP bracelet.
Mike Sexton playing style
A classically skilled all-around player whose greatest legacy came through broadcasting and tirelessly promoting the game to a mainstream audience.
Cash games
A respected player in Las Vegas cash games throughout his decades-long career, alongside his tournament and broadcasting work.
Business & sponsorships
Served as lead color commentator on World Poker Tour telecasts alongside Vince Van Patten for the show's first fifteen seasons, later transitioning to a role with PartyPoker; inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2009.
Why Mike matters
The "Ambassador of Poker," whose World Poker Tour commentary helped bring the game into mainstream American living rooms.
FAQ about Mike Sexton
Why was Mike Sexton known as the "Ambassador of Poker"?
For his tireless work promoting the game, most visibly as lead commentator on the World Poker Tour for its first fifteen seasons.
When did Mike Sexton pass away?
He died on September 6, 2020, at age 72, from prostate cancer.
How much has Mike Sexton won playing poker?
Mike Sexton has won $5,700,000+ in live tournament earnings.
How many WSOP bracelets does Mike Sexton have?
Mike Sexton has won 1 WSOP bracelet.