Honestly if you understand poker - you understand Phil and Mike are not assholes. They are professionals who want to win very bad and they may have some self-esteem issues. This is why Phil enters all the WSOP events, he thinks if he holds the most braceletes he will get more respect, but I think deep down he knows he needs to change his table manners before that happens. Mike gets it more - his loud behavior is 1/2 act 1/2 him - he knows it gets ratings and drives people to watch him play, he never even has to win an event, his personality is all he needs to become a poker legend. And they both are still beloved by their fellow pros who poke fun at them and care about them all at the same time. I've only met a couple true real jerks in the game over the past 10 years - and don't see it as a reason to quit playing. You have to love the competition and crave it - poker isn't a social round (oval) table where friends are gathering to discuss sports or politics - although those discussions come up often, it's still just a GAME, where real money happens to be on the line and that brings out emotions in different ways for each player.