If anyone was shocked by Phil Hellmuth’s record-extending seventeenth bracelet win at this summer season’s 54th annual World Series of Poker, then they haven’t been paying consideration.
Hellmuth is now 59 years outdated and received his first bracelet within the ‘80s. For some reason, this fact has tricked many into believing that the Poker Brat’s greatest years are lengthy behind him. In actuality, there’s an argument to be made that not solely is Phil the undisputed GOAT event participant, however he might even be right about being the best event participant within the recreation proper now.
Although Hellmuth is twice the age of a number of the top-ranked wizards in poker in the present day, his outcomes communicate for themselves. The Wisconsin native stays the WSOP’s most adorned participant total, with a seemingly uncatchable lead in bracelets (17), whereas sitting in third place for earnings ($17.9 million) and third place in cashes (202). Take away on-line cashes, and he’s within the lead.
Not solely did he take down the principle occasion (1989) in Las Vegas, however he received the WSOP Europe essential occasion (2012) as nicely. Hellmuth and Josh Arieh are the one rivals to win a bracelet at every of the three historic WSOP venues (Binion’s, Rio, and the Las Vegas Strip), and Hellmuth is the one participant to earn a bracelet in 5 totally different a long time (‘80s, ‘90s, ‘00s, ‘10s, and ‘20s).
Even if you happen to took away his wins, he would nonetheless have one of many higher information on the summer season collection, having completed runner-up an unbelievable 14 instances, and third one other 4 instances. He has 61 ultimate tables total!
But what might shock you is simply how lately Hellmuth’s success on the collection has come, because the latter half of his profession has confirmed to be extra adorned than the primary.
This summer season he cashed 13 instances, and along with his win within the $10,000 tremendous turbo bounty occasion for $803,818, he narrowly missed out on three extra ultimate tables. Last yr, he took second within the $3,000 no-limit occasion, once more with one other two extra close to ultimate tables. In 2021, he truly set the report for ultimate tables in a summer season with seven.
Counting solely the final 20 years, primarily all the length of the poker increase, Hellmuth has been averaging 8.5 cashes and just below two ultimate tables per summer season, with a bracelet win each different yr! Nobody else within the fashionable period comes shut.
Card Player caught up with Hellmuth after the collection to speak about profitable bracelet no. 17, poker’s newest increase, getting the respect of his friends, and why he sees himself as a fire-breathing dragon.
CP: We had many record-breaking tournaments this yr on the collection, together with the principle occasion. How good do you are feeling in regards to the present well being of the poker ecosystem? How good do you are feeling about poker’s future?
PH: [It’s a] poker increase! It’s wonderful! Right now, at this very second, poker is the largest that it has ever been!
I consider the pandemic introduced new gamers to our stunning recreation (the 18–24-year-olds are again in droves), and 100,000 ‘retired’ gamers as nicely. These retired gamers are higher now than they had been again then (maturity helps!) once they stopped enjoying, and they’re having fun with the sport once more. Also, the retired gamers have extra money, and higher money-management abilities.
CP: There had been additionally a report variety of occasions supplied, together with extra on-line occasions than ever. When you began in 1988, there have been 12 occasions. Next yr, there can be nicely over 100 bracelets up for grabs not even together with the web collection and Europe/Bahamas. How do you are feeling about so many bracelet occasions on the calendar?
PH: I do want there have been much less bracelets every year. 100 is simply too many, and there are in all probability 150 per yr now with the opposite collection.
One factor we undoubtedly want is to have separate classes for on-line and real-world WSOP statistics. And I consider they may finally break up them.
CP: Let’s discuss your schedule. How many occasions did you find yourself enjoying this summer season? It looks like you had been extra cautious to take break day and relaxation. Do you are feeling prefer it paid off?
PH: I ended up enjoying 33 tournaments whole, not together with on-line occasions. That’s rather a lot lower than anybody else that was ‘seriously playing’ for WSOP bracelets! I in all probability had 10-12 days fully off.
[To be honest], I wanted the additional relaxation, particularly on the age of 58. (Editor’s Note: Phil turned 59 on July 16).
CP: Cashing 13 instances is a superb summer season, even if you happen to hadn’t received a bracelet. Overall, how blissful are you with the way you performed? Are there any huge spots you would like you had again?
PH: I imply, I can consider two errors that I made very late in a few occasions. Both in all probability value me a ultimate desk! And then there have been a pair instances that I performed completely, however bumped into some turbulence.
CP: Even although the sphere is harder when there are only some tables left, that’s when it looks like you’ve your biggest edge. Nobody bobs and weaves higher in the long run levels of a event. What do you attribute this success to? Patience? Experience?
PH: You know, endurance is tremendous vital! But endurance will be trumped by a ‘good read.’
My studying capacity is what I name ‘white magic.’ I can fold tremendous sturdy arms, or name with very marginal arms if I’ve an awesome learn.
Also, there’s a time and a spot to alter gears. I’m good at figuring out when to play sooner.
CP: Your report on the collection is outstanding, and no person has extra expertise in relation to deep runs and ultimate tables. When was the final time you had been nervous on the desk?
PH: I don’t get nervous. Sometimes I get pressured, like when I’m drained and shedding pots.
For instance, I used to be pressured within the $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. occasion. I used to be very drained, and we had been 11-handed for 4 hours straight. I used to be so within the zone, that it felt like I used to be going to complete first or second. Instead, I misplaced a bunch of pots that I used to be ‘supposed to win.’ (Editor’s Note: Hellmuth would go on to complete eleventh.)
CP: I think about that if I had been to play my playing cards precisely the identical method you’d, there could be a special end result. Some gamers exit of their strategy to play pots with you, and others are scared to play again at you. How do you determine who’s who?
PH: I’ve an awesome understanding of my picture, and I keenly perceive the way to benefit from it.
Everyone all the time thinks that I’ve it, and for essentially the most half, I actually do have it. But then, once they cease calling me, I’ve to benefit from that and bluff much more.
CP: The $10,000 turbo occasion you received was an actual marathon, ending early the following morning after it began. How had been you feeling throughout that run? Do you would like they might have stopped play in order that the ultimate desk might be streamed, or do you suppose that enjoying it out labored to your benefit?
PH: Truthfully, I needed to cease play. I needed to play in entrance of the world LIVE on PokerGO! [Phil] Ivey objected after we had been on the ultimate desk, and I instructed him that he ‘would not dictate policy!’
It was tense for about 30 seconds, however then Ivey defined himself to me, and we laughed about it. He was instructed it was a one-day event, and he had deliberate for it. [I] ended up busting Ivey in sixth place.
When we had been five-handed, I requested the gamers in the event that they needed to return again at 4 p.m. However, two of them needed to play, so we performed.
One benefit for me was that there have been no hecklers! My final WSOP ultimate desk famously introduced out a couple of guys that had been drunk and method, method out of line. Although, had the heckler factor occurred in 2023, I consider the WSOP was ready to kick the hecklers out!
CP: I couldn’t consider you had been on the Doyle Brunson memorial ceremony just some hours later, and had sufficient left within the tank to offer a speech to a giant crowd. You should have been operating on adrenaline!
PH: I used to be on zero sleep heading into the Doyle tribute, having received the bracelet at 5 a.m. But I merely couldn’t miss it. I spoke about Doyle from my coronary heart. I believe of us appreciated it, and that’s the purpose.
CP: Throughout the collection on social media you referenced the symbolism of a dragon. What is the importance of the dragon?
PH: I’m a Chinese Dragon. Actually, so is my spouse Kat and my greatest buddy Chamath Palihapitiya.
(Editor’s Note: Palihapitiya is a enterprise capitalist who helped launch Facebook, and is the proprietor of one among Hellmuth’s bracelets. Hellmuth provides away all of his bracelets aside from his 1989 essential occasion win. Bracelet no. 17 went to Palihapitiya’s podcast co-host and fellow entrepreneur David Sacks.)
I used to be enjoying so nice, and I used to be so pissed off that I wasn’t making ultimate tables that I posted one thing on Twitter about respiratory hearth. Then, I discussed I used to be a dragon and posted an image of a dragon. This submit occurred at 2:30 p.m., by 5 a.m. I had the bracelet!
So, I’m leaning into the dragon idea!
CP: The final time you had been interviewed for Card Player, you mentioned you had ambitions to be a billionaire. How goes it? I do know you’ve been advising a number of corporations and even turned a cardroom proprietor in Texas.
PH: I’ve been an official ‘advisor’ for nearly 20 corporations. What does this imply? I counsel an organization in alternate for two%-3% of the corporate, and I normally make investments my very own cash as nicely.
I give the founder connections to eight highly effective individuals (celebrities, billionaires, enterprise leaders) which will or might not make investments, social media posts, and one hour a month for a ‘strategic call.’ (Not throughout WSOP!) I’ve modified the trajectory of some corporations! And have added extra worth than my 2%-3% to all of them (with one or two exceptions).
My founders inform different new founders how a lot I’ve helped them, after which the brand new founders come to me. I consider that I can be a billionaire after I’m 76 years outdated. But, I’ll sacrifice zero of my well being to get there! My schedule is about excellent proper now.
CP: The haters have been awfully quiet for some time now. Does it really feel just like the tide has turned and also you at the moment are getting the respect you deserve?
PH: Yes, precisely that. The tide has turned, and the best gamers, like Shaun Deeb, have given me each GOAT standing and acknowledge that I’m one of the best all-around event participant on the planet proper now. My outcomes over the past 20 months are strong proof of that. But in fact, the good ones like Shaun nonetheless plan on passing me!
It’s good to have actual recognition. Although, the second-tier nice gamers (ranked 8-80 on the planet), nonetheless don’t give me that. This tier doesn’t perceive poker greatness, and they’ll by no means obtain the highest spot.
Ivey is aware of how nice I’m, and I understand how nice he’s. I all the time say, ‘The great ones know who the great ones are.’ ♠
Phil Hellmuth’s 17 WSOP Bracelet Wins
Year | Event | Payout |
1989 | $10,000 Main Event | $755,000 |
1992 | $5,000 Limit Hold’em | $168,000 |
1993 | $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em | $161,400 |
1993 | $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em | $173,000 |
1993 | $5,000 Limit Hold’em | $138,000 |
1997 | $3,000 Pot-Limit Hold’em | $204,000 |
2001 | $2,000 No-Limit Hold’em | $316,550 |
2003 | $2,500 Limit Hold’em | $171,400 |
2003 | $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em | $410,860 |
2006 | $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em Rebuy | $631,863 |
2007 | $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em | $637,254 |
2012 | $2,500 Razz | $182,793 |
2012 | €10,000 Main Event | $1,333,841 |
2015 | $10,000 Razz | $271,105 |
2018 | $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em | $485,082 |
2021 | $1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball | $84,851 |
2023 | $10,000 Super Turbo Bounty | $803,818 |
*Photos by PokerGO – Miguel Cortes, Antonio Abrego, Enrique Malfavon and WSOP – Rachel Kay Miller