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[QUOTE="OzExorcist, post: 1005862, member: 23910"]
In Phil's case specifically, I think the guys above really do have it: making an entrance really is more important to him that playing those initial hands.
 
Think about it: if he turned up on time or thereabouts like a regular player, nobody would pay a great deal of attention.  If he draws a non-TV table and busts before he gets onto one, the most TV time he'll get from the Main Event is a shot of him walking out the door and a brief interview in which he can whine about donkeys that can't even spell poker.
 
Partly, I'm sure, it's an ego thing.  He probably couldn't stand to get that little attention in a Main Event.  He's Phil freaking Hellmuth Jr, after all.  The Main Event is his event.
 
But it's also a branding and business thing.  If he turns up late and makes his grand entrance, he's guaranteed that ESPN will be there with the cameras because gawd knows there's sod-all else of interest happening during the first level of play.
 
He gets his TV time, loads of people see the UltimateBet logo on his chest, and the poker world spends their time talking about what a douchebag he is for making these stupid entrances every year (there being no such thing as bad publicity).  People set lines and take bets on when he's going to turn up.
 
Stock in Brand Hellmuth in general rises because people are looking at him and talking about him.  And he gets all this benefit for the measly price of a few rounds of blinds.  Hell, if I was in his position I'd be doing the exact same thing.
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