Hellmuth and Ultimate Bet to part ways?

Phil Hellmuth’s decade long association with Ultimate Bet has allegedly come to an end after an argument over the pro’s pay demands.

UB.com is reportedly unwilling to meet Hellmuth’s high fee for wearing the company logo while being disappointed with his recent form – it’s been four years since Hellmuth’s last major victory, 2006’s WSOP $1,000 no-limit event.

Rumours of the pro’s split with the disgraced site began circulating late last month when the eleven-time bracelet winner, who helped design UB.com’s initial poker software, was spotted without his customary UB.com patches during the NAPT Bounty Shootout in Los Angeles.

And since the tournament, fellow pros have been quick to offer an opinion as to which sponsors would come forward for Hellmuth, with the mild-mannered Tony G posting on his blog:

‘Where might he go? Full Tilt no, he couldn’t handle being part of a team – there’s no ‘I’ in team Phil. As a player he is the definition of Full Tilt and by that I don’t mean the site or team – he’s on life tilt…’

While Hellmuth’s departure is yet to be officially confirmed, his future will no doubt remain a major talking point over the coming weeks.