Phil Hellmuth could well be on the run of his life, and that’s saying something. Hellmuth won a record 16th World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet at a Lowball event on October 17 at the Rio Casino in Las Vegas.
Then he followed that up three days later with a second-place finish in the World Series of Poker Dealer’s Choice Championship. The events vaulted him into the Player of The Year points lead and challenged John Mercier’s two-week run in 2016.
News Highlights
- Phil Hellmuth captured a record 16th World Series of Poker bracelet.
- The Hall of Famer is on a roll at the World Series of Poker.
- Hellmuth now has records for bracelets, winnings, and finals appearances.
Poker Legend Phil Hellmuth Breaks WSOP Bracelet Record
Hellmuth was one of 272 entrants in the Lowball event and had to climb from 36 places down on the tournament’s second day to reach the final table. He ended up going all-in against Jake Schwartz, winning on a nine high against Schwartz’s pair of 4s to take the top prize of $84,951. His 16th bracelet is six more than the next highest bracelet winners, Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, and Phil Ivey.
I’ve wanted a deuce to seven bracelet ever since the 1980s because it was the coolest bracelet to win. It’s the one tournament that Chip [Reese], Doyle, and all the big poker players showed up for. I’ve been fighting so hard for this bracelet for so long, and my game has gotten better and better. I’ve worked hard at it, and I know all these tricks because I’ve been playing since the eighties. It feels really good.
Phil Hellmuth
Becoming “The Poker Brat”
Hellmuth, a 57-year-old from Wisconsin, won his first bracelet at the No-Limit Main Event in 1989. He quickly became known as “The Poker Brat” for his foul language, table antics, and name-calling. He once walked off the set during NBC’s Poker After Dark. He admitted that he intentionally toned down his manners for the most recent win.
I told myself no swearing tirades and no threats. I swore a little bit. I am sure the cameras caught it, but I was a lot more mellow, probably because I went too far the other day.
Phil Hellmuth
The “other day” reference was his profanity-laced tirade at the final table in a previous tournament. But Hellmuth has continued to win his way into the WSOP Hall of Fame. His winnings total more than $25.2 million as he has made 71 final tables, all WSOP records.
Phil Hellmuth’s WSOP Wins
| Year | Event | Money Prize |
| 1989 | $10,000 WSOP Main Event | $755,000 |
| 1992 | $5,000 Limit Holdem | $188,000 |
| 1993 | $2,500 No-Limit Holdem | $173,000 |
| 1993 | $1,500 No-Limit Holdem | $161,400 |
| 1993 | $5,000 Limit Holdem | $138,000 |
| 1997 | $3,000 Pot-Limit Holdem | $204,000 |
| 2001 | $2,000 No-Limit Holdem | $361,550 |
| 2003 | $2,500 Limit Holdem | $171,400 |
| 2003 | $3,000 No-Limit Holdem | $410,860 |
| 2006 | $1,000 No-Limit Holdem | $631,863 |
| 2007 | $1,500 No-Limit Holdem | $637,250 |
| 2012 | $2,500 Seven-Card Razz | $182,793 |
| 2012 | WSOPE €10,000 Main Event | €1,022,376 ($1,333,841) |
| 2015 | $10,000 Razz Championship | $271,105 |
| 2018 | $5,000 No-Limit Holdem | $485,082 |
| 2021 | $1,500 No-Limit Lowball | $84,851 |
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The Return of World Series of Poker
Hellmuth’s latest triumph came in the return of the WSOP to full in-person play in Vegas. Last year’s event was primarily online because of COVID-19, and separate finals were held in the US and Europe. Only 1,379 players entered compared to more than 8,500 in 2019.
This year’s series hosts dozens of events, which started on September 30 and will end with the conclusion of the big No-Limit Main Event on November 23 at the Rio. There will still be a European final in the Czech Republic on December 9.
