Phil Hellmuth on the Past, Present and Future of the WSOP

This year, the World Series of Poker awarded 100 WSOP bracelets in Las Vegas, dozens more online and 15 in the Czech-German border town of Rozvadov. In December, the world’s most recognized poker brand is heading back to The Bahamas as the WSOP Paradise festival will award yet more gold bracelets.

We spoke to the man who has won more than any other, Phil Hellmuth, as he looks back on his achievements and what is to come from the tour that made his name.

The Most Important Tournament Series in The World

“[The WSOP] is the most important tournament series in the world.” ~ Phil Hellmuth, record-holding winner of 17 WSOP bracelets.

The World Series of Poker is the biggest poker-related festival in the world whenever the action comes to Las Vegas, Europe or The Bahamas, and Phil Hellmuth is excited whenever he talks about it. For good reason. Back in 1989, the then 24-year-old shocked the world when he beat the two-time back-to-back champion Johnny Chan, a.k.a. ‘The Orient Express’, to land the World Championship and change his life forever.

“The WSOP is of paramount importance to me,” says Phil. “The WSOP is where legacies are created. It is the most important tournament series in the world.”

Hellmuth, known from his early years as ‘The Poker Brat’ is as committed now as he always has been, and sits on a record 17 WSOP bracelet wins, an incredible six clear of his nearest challenger, Phil Ivey. Hellmuth’s attitude to the WSOP has remained resolute across almost four decades.

“I show up on Day 1 and stay eight weeks until the end,” he says of the Las Vegas series during the summer. “I also love the WPT (World Poker Tour) but by its nature it is harder for me to show up and fly to far-flung places for just one tourney. I do look forward to WPT tourneys!”

The Bracelet Prophecy

“The WSOP might destroy itself!”

Many years ago, Hellmuth had a premonition – that he would win 24 WSOP titles. Incredibly, he’s now only seven wins short of fulfilling that prophecy. Of his many competitors for gold at the WSOP, Hellmuth identifies two men as his closest rivals.

“Shaun Deeb and Phil Ivey. Soon, the WSOP will create a separate category for online bracelets, which will help save the value of the WSOP asset by preserving the value of WSOP Bracelets. Make bracelets great again!”

While Phil accepts that building the WSOP brand is the way forward, he’s keen that those in charge at the World Series don’t dilute the prestige of winning a bracelet.

“I hope they limit the number of WSOP bracelets to 100 per year and will go public with that thought this week. The WSOP might destroy itself. It starts by businesses behind the scenes devaluing WSOP bracelets.”

While Phil believes in the power of the bracelet, he maintains that they should do everything they can to protect that image of the trophy that means more than any other.

“They are trying to build an online poker site on the back of giving away bracelets – it’s all money driven! A bracelet used to mean something. Now, they have $400 buy-in tourneys online in 2-4 states that last one day, and that most of the great players skip.”

Hellmuth’s record in WSOP events isn’t just stronger than anyone else’s, it has stood the test of time. The Poker Brat has made many accurate predictions about the future of the WSOP and has a few more for us now.

“One prediction is that if they continue to give out over 250 bracelets a year, then they will end up with a worthless asset,” he says. “The WSOP will be devalued. Already, most great players don’t play WSOP Europe and online bracelets. What are those worth? Many of the top guys are laughing at someone winning a bracelet with 38 entries at WSOP Europe and proclaiming [greatness] with no shame, no remorse, no acknowledgment of the weakened bracelet.

What Does the Future Hold for the WSOP?

“I don’t blame the players, although a little honesty would be nice.”

The recent victory of Josh Arieh in the WSOP Online Series pushed many players’ buttons. In the event, which cost $1,000 to enter, Arieh rebought six times, going on to win his seventh bracelet. While not responding specifically to that event, both Norman Chad and Phil Hellmuth have expressed their wish for changes, with the rebuy element to some of them altered.

“Claiming, ‘I have seven bracelets, if they are so easy to win, why doesn’t everyone have seven?’ after winning an online bracelet where he rebought six times? It’s weak. Tell that player, that many people will have seven soon if they keep giving away 280 bracelets per year! I don’t blame the players, although a little honesty would be nice. I guess those players think we are all stupid?”

Hellmuth’s own year on the WSOP has gone OK so far and while it’s harsh to judge anyone – especially the all-time leader – on bracelets won alone because they are very difficult to win outright, reaching the final table in the O8/Stud 8 mix earned him a podium finish. The forthcoming WSOP Paradise festival in December could be a big push for gold.

“Yes, I’m looking forward to WSOP Paradise! I’ll likely play four to six events there,” says Phil. “I wish they had more mixed games, and some lower buy-ins.”

In recent weeks, fans have been able to enjoy a chat with Phil Hellmuth about the future of the WSOP or indeed any other subject, courtesy of his AI creation via Atmanity. So does the AI Phil-Bot know how many WSOP bracelets The Poker Brat will win?

“The ‘AI Phil-Bot’ has just ingested my entire autobiography! That, in addition to 400 ‘Hand of the Week’ examples gives it great knowledge of who I am. The bot would tell you 24 WSOP bracelets! You can have a conversation with me, I mean, with it, right now!”

And with that, Phil Hellmuth is on the move again. Now 61 years old, The Poker Brat of lore may have mellowed at the felt but his hunger for WSOP glory will never be satisfied… until he fulfills his prophecy.