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  Most of us will put up with a it: as long as the person throwing the tantrum, he or she is under the age of three. When our kids hit that magical, kindergarten age when for a few hours a day they are the government's problem, tantrums become a socially unacceptable practice. Usually the tantrum is purged out of their lives by a series of punishments that include a loss of television privileges, time outs, and the occasional swat on the butt. Of course if you reward each inappropriate outburst with candy or a trip to Toys "R" Us, than the tantrums will probably continue.



  During the 2005 World Series of Poker, Phil Hellmuth was eliminated early in the tournament by an amateur player who was greener than that Martian who used to hang around with Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble. Instead of showing the sort of graciousness that one would expect from a champion, Phil screamed, yelled, and belittled his opponent. Phil went so far as to say that smart players, like himself, can't win when inferior opponents are playing "donkey poker".



  Considering the fact that the nameless amateur who ousted him that day not only beat Phil at his own game, but had enough class not to retaliate, it left the audience with no doubt who the better man really was. In truth, the Phil Hellmuth tantrums don't work in the real world. If it were not for the fact that ESPN encourages this sort of behavior, Phil probably would have stopped a long time ago.



  There are two reasons why this behavior is ineffective in any game where the Sportscenter cameras are not rolling. First of all, it may result in your opponent punching your lights out.



  Secondly, there is a strategic drawback to his bad behavior. What usually makes Phil lose his cool is when a player beats him doing something that is not technically good play. He cannot take it when somebody gets a victory over him playing what he believes is bad poker.



  When somebody is tilting, they are like an ATM machine until they get themselves back under control. When playing against somebody with a reputation for tantrums, take a few chances. If you can put a bad beat on the temperamental opponent, you may send them over the edge. This is a situation you can take advantage of.



  Phil Hellmuth's behavior is probably tolerated because his tantrums make for good video clips that can be run on ESPN. The upside to this death of sportsmanship is that the players who have learned to emulate Phil have given their opponents a weapon to use against them.