View source for Phil Hellmuth

{{Short description|American poker player (born 1964)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox poker player
|name        =
|nickname    = The Poker Brat<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Bernard |author-link=Bernard Lee (poker player) |date=July 2, 2019 |title='Poker Brat' is born: 30 years later, inside Phil Hellmuth's stunning arrival |url=https://www.espn.com/chalk/story/_/id/27093187/poker-brat-born-30-years-later-phil-hellmuth-stunning-arrival |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><br>Lumestackin<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holloway |first=Chad |date=July 2, 2020 |title=Phil "Lumestackin" Hellmuth Eliminated in 11th Place ($7,871.85) |url=https://www.pokernews.com/tours/wsop/2020-wsop-com-online-bracelet-events/event-1-nlh-kick-off/chips.367841.htm |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=[[PokerNews]] |language=en}}</ref>
|image       = Phil Hellmuth 2021.jpg
|caption     = Phil Hellmuth during the [[World Poker Tour season 19 results|WPT]] Venetian 2021 
|residence   = [[Palo Alto, California|Palo Alto]], [[California]]
|birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1964|7|16}}
|birth_place = [[Madison, Wisconsin]], U.S.
|death_date  =
|death_place =

|wsop bracelet count = 17
|wsop money finishes = 210<ref name="wsop">{{Cite web |title=Phil Hellmuth |url=https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=271 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=WSOP.com}}</ref>
|wsop main event best finish rank = Winner
|wsop main event best finish year = 1989

|wpt titles         = 0
|wpt final tables   = 5
|wpt money finishes = 18

|ept titles         =
|ept final tables   =
|ept money finishes =

|updated            = July 2, 2023
}}
'''Phillip Jerome Hellmuth Jr.''' (born July 16, 1964) is an American professional [[poker]] player who has won a record seventeen [[World Series of Poker bracelet]]s, the majority in [[no-limit hold'em]]. He is the winner of the Main Event of the [[1989 World Series of Poker]] (WSOP)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seaton |first=Paul |date=May 1, 2019 |title=Phil Hellmuth on the History and Future of the WSOP |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2019/05/phil-hellmuth-wsop-34039.htm |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=[[PokerNews]] |language=en}}</ref> and the Main Event of the [[2012 World Series of Poker Europe]] (WSOPE), and he is a 2007 inductee of the WSOP's [[Poker Hall of Fame]]. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest tournament players in history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pajich |first=Bob |date=July 6, 2007 |title=Hellmuth, Enright Inducted into Poker Hall of Fame |url=https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/2377-hellmuth-enright-inducted-into-poker-hall-of-fame |access-date=March 31, 2009 |website=[[Card Player]]}}</ref><ref name="WSOPE2012">{{Cite web |last=Cahlik |first=Josh |last2=Donnie Peters |date=October 4, 2012 |title=Phil Hellmuth Wins 2012 World Series of Poker Europe Main Event; Watson Wins High Roller |url=http://www.pokernews.com/news/2012/10/phil-hellmuth-wins-2012-world-series-of-poker-europe-13546.htm |access-date=October 5, 2012 |website=[[Poker News]]}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Hellmuth was born in [[Madison, Wisconsin]], and attended [[Madison West High School]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moe |first=Doug |date=June 14, 2018 |title=World champ 'Poker Brat' Phil Hellmuth publishes memoir |url=https://www.channel3000.com/madison-magazine/columns/world-champ-poker-brat-phil-hellmuth-publishes-memoir/article_c131f409-19ce-58d9-a698-725ba85ff160.html |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=Channel3000.com |language=en}}</ref> He had trouble with grades and friends during school and said at the time he was the "ugly duckling" of his family.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jaudon |first=Gaelle |date=September 10, 2015 |title=Phil Hellmuth: Interview with the Man with 14 WSOP Bracelets |url=http://somuchpoker.com/phil-hellmuth-interview/ |access-date=July 7, 2018 |website=So Much Poker |language=en-US}}</ref> He moved on to the [[University of Wisconsin–Madison]] for three years, where he dropped out to become a full-time poker player.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wolfe |first=Alexandra |date=August 11, 2017 |title=Phil Hellmuth, 'Poker Brat' |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/phil-hellmuth-poker-brat-1502474525 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=[[Wall Street Journal]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Torelli |first=Alec |date=April 13, 2015 |title=A MEMORABLE NIGHT OF POKER ON POKER NIGHT IN AMERICA |url=https://www.alectorelli.com/a-memorable-night-of-poker-on-poker-night-in-america/ |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=[[Alec Torelli]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

Since 1992, he has lived in [[Palo Alto, California]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=McSherry |first=Lauren |date=March 29, 2006 |title=The gambler |url=https://www.paloaltoonline.com/print/story/print/2006/03/29/the-gambler |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=[[Palo Alto Online]]}}</ref> with his wife, Katherine Sanborn,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burnett |first=Andrew |date=September 8, 2021 |title=Phil Hellmuth and Kathy Sanborn; 31 Years of Harmony Between Psychiatrist and Poker Pro |url=https://www.pokertube.com/article/phil-hellmuth-and-kathy-sanborn-31-years-of-harmony-between-psychiatrist-and-poker-pro |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=PokerTube |language=en-US}}</ref> who is a psychiatrist at [[Stanford University]], and their two sons, Phillip III and Nicholas.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Finkel |first=Michael |date=June 27, 1994 |title=He Knows When to Hold 'Em |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1994/06/27/he-knows-when-to-hold-em-with-his-brash-style-of-play-phil-hellmuth-jr-has-won-millions-at-poker |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=Sports Illustrated Vault |language=en-us}}</ref>

Hellmuth is a [[Golden State Warriors]] fan and has attended many Warriors games with team owner [[Joe Lacob]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Warriors game! {{!}} Phil Hellmuth {{!}} 16 Time World Series of Poker Champion |url=https://philhellmuth.com/warriors-game/,%20https://philhellmuth.com/warriors-game/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Poker career==
Hellmuth is known for usually taking his seat at poker tournaments long after they begin.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saric |first=Marko |date=July 13, 2010 |title=Phil Hellmuth: Latest entry to a poker tournament in history |url=http://www.partypoker.com/blog/featured/phil-hellmuth-latest-entry-to-a-poker-tournament-in-history.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100716214905/http://www.partypoker.com/blog/featured/phil-hellmuth-latest-entry-to-a-poker-tournament-in-history.html |archive-date=July 16, 2010 |access-date=July 11, 2011 |publisher=[[Party Poker]]}}</ref>

As of December 2024, his live tournament winnings exceed $30,000,000.<ref name="hbd">{{Cite web |title=Phil Hellmuth Jr's profile on The Hendon Mob |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=117 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref>

===World Series of Poker===
[[File:Phil Hellmuth 2.jpg|thumb|left|Phil Hellmuth at the [[2006 World Series of Poker]].]]
In the [[1988 World Series of Poker]], Hellmuth had his first in-the-money finish at the $1,500 Seven Card Stud Split, a fifth-place finish.<ref>{{Cite web |title=19th World Series of Poker – WSOP 1988, Seven-Card Stud Split |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=8017 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref> In the 1988 WSOP, he came in 33rd after being eliminated by eventual champion [[Johnny Chan]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holloway |first=Chad |date=December 20, 2011 |title=My First: Phil Hellmuth Revisits His First World Series of Poker Cash |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2011/12/my-first-phil-hellmuth-revisits-his-first-wsop-cash-11553.htm |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=PokerNews.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 1989, the 24-year-old Hellmuth became the youngest player to win the Main Event of the WSOP by defeating the two-time defending champion Johnny Chan in [[Heads Up Poker|heads-up]] play;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schawbel |first=Dan |date=October 7, 2017 |title=Phil Hellmuth: What You Can Learn From The Top Poker Player About Career Success |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/danschawbel/2017/10/07/phil-hellmuth-what-you-can-learn-from-the-top-poker-player-about-career-success/ |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> Hellmuth's record was broken by [[Peter Eastgate]] (22) in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 11, 2008|agency=Associated Press |title=Peter Eastgate is youngest World Series of Poker champ |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/peter-eastgate-youngest-world-series-poker-champ-article-1.336768 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=New York Daily News}}</ref>

As of September 2020, Hellmuth had won over $15,000,000 at the WSOP and ranked fourth on the WSOP All Time Money List, behind [[Antonio Esfandiari]], [[Daniel Colman]], and [[Daniel Negreanu]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=WSOP All Time Money List |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/ranking/125/ |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref> Hellmuth also was fifth all time in number of times cashed in the WSOP Main Event with eight (1988, 1989, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2008, 2009, and 2015), placing him behind [[Berry Johnston]] (ten), and [[Humberto Brenes]], [[Doyle Brunson]], and [[Bobby Baldwin]] (nine).

Fourteen of Hellmuth's 17 bracelets have been in [[Texas hold'em]], though he has had some success in non-hold'em events. As of the start of the [[2015 World Series of Poker|2015 World Series]], 22 of Hellmuth's 52 final tables are for a variety of games, including 2–7 Lowball, Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo, Seven Card Razz, and Omaha hold'em (Pot Limit, Limit, and Hi-Lo), as well as mixed games like H.O.R.S.E and the $50,000 Poker Player's Championship; his first-ever WSOP final table (and first-ever WSOP cash) was in Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo in 1988, and his second-ever WSOP final table (and third-ever WSOP cash) was in Pot Limit Omaha hold'em w/Rebuys in 1989. His third-ever WSOP final table (and fifth-ever WSOP cash) was his Main Event victory in 1989.) Of those 22 events, Hellmuth has finished runner-up six times.<ref name=wsop/>

{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; margin: 0 2em"
|-
|+ World Series of Poker bracelets
|+<small>An "E" following a year denotes bracelet(s) won at the World Series of Poker Europe</small>
|-
!Year
!Tournament
!Prize (US$/EU€)
|-
|[[1989 World Series of Poker|1989]]
|$10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
|$755,000
|-
|[[1992 World Series of Poker|1992]]
|$5,000 Limit Hold'em
|$168,000
|-
|[[1993 World Series of Poker|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 World Series of Poker|1997]]
|$3,000 Pot Limit Hold'em
|$204,000
|-
|[[2001 World Series of Poker|2001]]
|$2,000 No Limit Hold'em
|$316,550
|-
|[[2003 World Series of Poker|2003]]
|$2,500 Limit Hold'em
|$171,400
|-
|2003
|$3,000 No Limit Hold'em
|$410,860
|-
|[[2006 World Series of Poker|2006]]
|$1,000 No Limit Hold'em with rebuys
|$631,863
|-
|[[2007 World Series of Poker|2007]]
|$1,500 No Limit Hold'em
|$637,254
|-
|[[2012 World Series of Poker|2012]]
|$2,500 Seven-Card Razz
|$182,793
|-
|[[2012 World Series of Poker Europe|2012E]]
|€10,450 No Limit Hold'em Main Event
|€1,022,376
|-
||[[2015 World Series of Poker|2015]]
|$10,000 Seven-Card Razz
|$271,105
|-
||[[2018 World Series of Poker|2018]]
|$5,000 No Limit Hold'em
|$485,082
|-
||[[2021 World Series of Poker|2021]]
|$1,500 No Limit 2–7 Lowball Draw
|$84,851
|-
||[[2023 World Series of Poker|2023]]
|$10,000 Super Turbo Bounty No-Limit Hold'em
|$803,818
|}

At the [[1993 World Series of Poker]], Hellmuth became the second player in WSOP history to win three bracelets in one WSOP. ([[Puggy Pearson|Walter "Puggy" Pearson]] was the first to do so in [[1973 World Series of Poker|1973]]; one of those bracelets was for winning the Main Event.) Hellmuth's three victories came in three consecutive days. ([[Ted Forrest]] also won three bracelets in three consecutive days at the 1993 WSOP to become the third player to win three bracelets in one WSOP.)

At the [[1997 World Series of Poker]], Hellmuth won his 5th bracelet of the decade, the most of any player in the 1990s.

At the [[2006 World Series of Poker]], Hellmuth captured his 10th World Series of Poker bracelet in the $1,000 No Limit Hold'em with rebuys event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Henriquez  |first=Alex  |date=July 25, 2006 |title=A Perfect 10! Hellmuth Wins 10th WSOP Bracelet |url=http://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/1202-a-perfect-10-hellmuth-wins-10th-wsop-bracelet |access-date=June 4, 2016 |website=CardPlayer.com}}</ref> At the time, it tied him with Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan for most bracelets. At the [[2007 World Series of Poker]], Hellmuth won his record-breaking 11th bracelet in the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Event.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 12, 2007 |title=WSOP Event 15 Results |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/poker/news/story?id=2902076 |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

Hellmuth's sponsor arranged for him to arrive at the [[2007 World Series of Poker#Main Event|2007 WSOP Main Event]] in a race car. Hellmuth lost control of the car in the [[Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino]] parking lot and hit a light fixture. He gave up the car for a limo, arriving at the Main Event two hours late.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hartness |first=John |date=July 10, 2007 |title=WSOP Updates, $10,000 Main Event, Day 1d |url=http://www.pokernews.com/news/2007/7/wsop-updates-event-55-1d-Josh-Evans-leads-fourth-opening-day.htm |access-date=March 31, 2009 |website=PokerNews.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=STING |date=July 14, 2007 |title=Phil Hellmuth Car Crash Raises More Questions Than Answers |url=http://www.gambling911.com/Phil-Hellmuth-Car-Crash-071407.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213003053/http://www.gambling911.com/Phil-Hellmuth-Car-Crash-071407.html |archive-date=February 13, 2009 |access-date=March 31, 2009 |publisher=Gambling911.com}}</ref>

At the [[2008 World Series of Poker#Main event|2008 WSOP Main Event]], Hellmuth verbally abused another player and received a one-round penalty.<ref name="WSOP Event 54, Day 5">{{Cite web |title=WSOP Event 54, Day 5 |url=http://www.wsop.com/tournaments/updates.asp?tid=4948&grid=411&dayof=725 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302074356/http://www.wsop.com/tournaments/updates.asp?tid=4948&grid=411&dayof=725 |archive-date=March 2, 2012 |access-date=March 31, 2009 |publisher=WorldSeriesofPoker.com}}</ref> After a private meeting with WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack, the penalty was overruled,<ref name="WSOP Event 54, Day 6">{{Cite web |title=WSOP Event 54, Day 6 |url=http://www.wsop.com/tournaments/updates.asp?tid=4948&grid=411&dayof=726&curpage=9 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302074416/http://www.wsop.com/tournaments/updates.asp?tid=4948&grid=411&dayof=726&curpage=9 |archive-date=March 2, 2012 |access-date=March 31, 2009 |publisher=WorldSeriesofPoker.com}}</ref> and Hellmuth finished the tournament in 45th place.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2008 |title=Last former champ, Hellmuth, eliminated at WSOP |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/poker/news/story?id=3485608 |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref>

In the [[2011 World Series of Poker]], Phil finished second in three tournaments, in the 2–7 Draw Lowball Championship, the Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split-8 or Better Championship, and The Poker Player's Championship eight-game mix.<ref>{{Cite web |title=42nd World Series of Poker – WSOP 2011, No Limit Deuce To Seven Draw World Championship |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=51878 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=42nd World Series of Poker – WSOP 2011, Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo Championship |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=51895 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Holloway |first=Chad |date=August 10, 2011 |title=The WSOP on ESPN: $50,000 Poker Player's Championship |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2011/08/the-wsop-on-espn-50-000-poker-players-championship-10826.htm |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=PokerNews.com |language=en}}</ref>

On June 11, 2012, Hellmuth won his 12th World Series of Poker bracelet in the $2,500 Seven-Card Razz event, defeating Don Zewin and earning $182,793.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nuwwarah |first=Mo  |date=June 10, 2020 |title=This Day in WSOP History: Phil Hellmuth Wins Bracelet No. 12 |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2020/06/this-day-wsop-history-phil-hellmuth-bracelet-12-37416.htm |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=PokerNews.com |language=en}}</ref> Zewin had finished third to Chan and Hellmuth when Hellmuth won his first bracelet in 1989.<ref>{{Cite web |title=20th World Series of Poker – WSOP 1989, No Limit Hold'em World Championship |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=8011 |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref> This is the first bracelet Hellmuth has won in a non-hold'em event, and made him the first player to win at least one bracelet in each of the last four decades, and only the third player in WSOP history to win a bracelet in four decades ([[Jay Heimowitz]] won 6 bracelets, spanning the 1970s through the 2000s, and [[Billy Baxter (poker player)|Billy Baxter]] won 7 bracelets, also spanning the 1970s through the 2000s). Hellmuth also collected $2,645,333 for his fourth-place finish in the $1,000,000 buy-in "[[Big One for One Drop]]" tournament, by far the largest single tournament cash of his career.

On October 4, 2012, Hellmuth won his 13th World Series of Poker bracelet in the €10,450 WSOPE No Limit Hold'em Main Event, earning €1,022,376 ($1,333,841) and becoming the first player to ever win both the WSOP and WSOPE Main Events.<ref name="WSOPE2012" /> This win also made Hellmuth the first player in WSOP history to win multiple bracelets in three decades (1993 (3), 2003 (2), and 2012 (2)). Also, Hellmuth finished runner-up in the WSOP Player of the Year race for a record third time (2006, 2011, and 2012).

On June 8, 2015, Hellmuth won his 14th World Series of Poker bracelet in the $10,000 Seven-Card Razz event, earning $271,105.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holloway |first=Chad |date=June 9, 2015 |title=Phil Hellmuth Wins Record 14th WSOP Bracelet After Capturing $10K Razz Title |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2015/06/phil-hellmuth-wins-record-14th-wsop-bracelet-21824.htm |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=PokerNews.com |language=en}}</ref>

On July 11, 2018, Hellmuth won his 15th World Series of Poker bracelet in the $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em event, earning $485,082.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dewey |first=Todd |date=July 12, 2018 |title=Phil Hellmuth wins record 15th WSOP bracelet |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/betting/phil-hellmuth-wins-record-15th-wsop-bracelet/ |access-date=July 12, 2018 |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal}}</ref>

On October 17, 2021, Hellmuth won his 16th World Series of Poker bracelet in the $1,500 No-Limit 2–7 Lowball Draw event, earning $84,851.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hansen |first=Matt |date=October 17, 2021 |title=Phil Hellmuth Wins Record 16th World Series of Poker (WSOP) Gold Bracelet |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2021/10/phil-hellmuth-wins-16th-world-series-of-poker-wsop-bracelet-40067.htm |access-date=October 17, 2021 |website=PokerNews.com}}</ref> With this victory, Hellmuth became the first player to win bracelets in five different decades.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sofen |first=Jon |date=July 3, 2023 |title=Phil Hellmuth's Bracelet Record is Even More Impressive Than You Realized |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2023/07/phil-hellmuth-wsop-bracelet-record-43975.htm |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=PokerNews.com |language=en}}</ref>

On July 2, 2023, Hellmuth won his 17th World Series of Poker bracelet in the $10,000 Super Turbo Bounty No-Limit Hold'em event, earning $803,818.<ref>{{Cite web |last=van Wingerden |first=Cottrell  |date=July 2, 2023 |title=Phil Hellmuth Wins Record-Extending 17th World Series of Poker Bracelet |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2023/07/phil-hellmuth-wins-world-series-of-poker-bracelet-17-43971.htm |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=PokerNews.com}}</ref>

===World Poker Tour===
Hellmuth has cashed 19 times, made five final tables, and earned over $1.5 million on the World Poker Tour.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phil Hellmuth |url=https://www.worldpokertour.com/player/phil-hellmuth/ |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=World Poker Tour |language=en-US}}</ref> He finished in fourth place in the $3,000 No Limit Hold'em WPT Event at the 49'er Gold Rush Bonanza in 2002,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Main Gold Rush Tournament Season 2002–2003 |url=https://www.worldpokertour.com/event/gold-rush-tournament-season-2002-2003/#eventTab4 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=World Poker Tour |language=en-US}}</ref> in third place in the $10,000 No Limit Hold'em Event at the World Poker Finals at [[Foxwoods Resort Casino|Foxwoods]] in 2003,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Main World Poker Finals Season 2003–2004 |url=https://www.worldpokertour.com/event/world-poker-finals-season-2003-2004/#eventTab4 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=World Poker Tour |language=en-US}}</ref> in sixth place at the 2008 L.A. Poker Classic,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Main WPT L.A. Poker Classic Season 2007–2008 |url=https://www.worldpokertour.com/event/la-poker-classic-season-2007-2008/#eventTab4 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=World Poker Tour |language=en-US}}</ref> in sixth place at the [[Bay 101]] Shooting Star event in 2010,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Main Tour WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star Season 2009–2010 |url=https://www.worldpokertour.com/event/bay-101-shooting-star-season-2009-2010/#eventTab4 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=World Poker Tour |language=en-US}}</ref> and second place in 2017 at the [[Bicycle Casino]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Main Tour WPT Legends of Poker Season 2017–2018 |url=https://www.worldpokertour.com/event/main-tour-wpt-legends-of-poker-season-2017-2018/#eventTab4 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=World Poker Tour |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2010. he was the television bubble boy finishing seventh at the $25,000 WPT World Championship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Main WPT World Championship Season 2009–2010 |url=https://www.worldpokertour.com/event/wpt-world-championship-season-2009-2010/#eventTab4 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=World Poker Tour |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Other notable tournaments===
Hellmuth makes regular appearances on episodes of ''[[Poker After Dark]]'' on PokerGO both as a player and as a drop-in commentator. Hellmuth won his first ''Poker After Dark'' tournament in the first episode of the third season, winning $120,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Poker After Dark (PAD) Season III, Week 1 – Dream Table |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=30565 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref> Hellmuth returned two weeks later and claimed his second ''Poker After Dark'' title, winning another $120,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Poker After Dark (PAD) Season III, Week 3 – Hecklers |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=30882 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref> Hellmuth is the Season 3 champion of ''[[Late Night Poker]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Late Night Poker winners |url=http://poker.gamble.co.uk/tv-media/late-night-poker-winners.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307023420/http://poker.gamble.co.uk/tv-media/late-night-poker-winners.asp |archive-date=March 7, 2008 |publisher=gamble.co.uk}}</ref>

In 2000, he won the Poker EM 7-Card Stud Main Event in Austria. Phil defeated 437 other players to win $106,250.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Poker EM 2000, Limit 7 Card Stud |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=25264 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref> In 2005, Hellmuth won the first NBC [[National Heads-Up Poker Championship]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2005 National Heads-Up Poker Championship, Heads-Up No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=12405 |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref> He defeated [[Men Nguyen]], [[Paul Phillips (poker player)|Paul Phillips]], [[Huck Seed]], [[Lyle Berman]] and [[Antonio Esfandiari]] on the way to the final against [[Chris Ferguson]] whom he defeated in two out of three games. While trying to repeat in 2006, he lost in the first round to [[Chip Reese]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hellmuth can't defend |url=http://www.vegastexasholdem.net/LargeEvents/2006CaesarsHeadsUp.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060912042332/http://vegastexasholdem.net/LargeEvents/2006CaesarsHeadsUp.htm |archive-date=September 12, 2006 |publisher=vegastexasholdem.net}}</ref> In 2007, Hellmuth did not play due to the PartyPoker.com Premier League Poker, a British tournament in which he took part. He won four out of his six group matches and eventually finished third in the finals. Hellmuth took part in the 2008 National Heads-Up Poker Championship,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hellmuth schedule |url=http://www.philhellmuth.com/bio.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209060232/http://philhellmuth.com/bio.html |archive-date=February 9, 2009 |publisher=philhellmuth.com}}</ref> losing in the first round to [[Tom Dwan]]. In 2013, Hellmuth finished in second place, losing to [[Mike Matusow]] in the final round and earning $300,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fast |first=Erik |date=January 27, 2013 |title=Mike Matusow Wins 2013 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship – Poker News |url=https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/14882-mike-matusow-wins-2013-nbc-national-heads-up-poker-championship |access-date=January 13, 2019 |website=CardPlayer.com}}</ref>

In July 2020, PokerGO announced a new series called ''High Stakes Duel'' which would follow a heads-up format of poker with the stakes doubling every round and the loser of the match having the first option to challenge for a rematch. Hellmuth would face [[Antonio Esfandiari]] in Round 1 on July 31, 2020, with the buy-in for each player being $50,000. Hellmuth defeated Esfandiari, and Esfandiari immediately declared his intention for a rematch. Round 2 was held on September 24, 2020, and would see each player buy-in for $100,000. Hellmuth again defeated Esfandiari, and Round 3 would be set for October 21, 2020, when Esfandiari immediately challenged for a rematch after the loss. Round 3 saw the buy-in doubled to $200,000, and Hellmuth defeated Esfandiari for the third consecutive time. Following the unique rules of ''High Stakes Duel'', Esfandiari was out of challenges and Hellmuth could cash out his $400,000 in winnings or progress through to Round 4. Hellmuth decided to cash out the $400,000 and announced in his winner's interview that he will be ready for Season 2.

In 2021, Phil Hellmuth challenged [[Daniel Negreanu]] in High Stakes Duel II. The two played three rounds, and Hellmuth won all three and cashed out his $400,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glatzer |first=Jason |date=June 24, 2021 |title=Hellmuth Sweeps Negreanu To Win High Stakes Duel II |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2021/06/phil-hellmuth-sweeps-daniel-negreanu-in-high-stakes-duel-ii-39378.htm |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=PokerNews.com |language=en}}</ref> Following that victory, he returned for High Stakes Duel III. In round 1, he faced challenger [[Nick Wright (sports personality)|Nick Wright]] of Fox Sports and won $100,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duckworth |first=Tim |date=July 29, 2021 |title=Phil Hellmuth Wins Round 1 of High Stakes Duel III for $100K |url=https://www.pgt.com/news/phil-hellmuth-wins-round-1-of-high-stakes-duel-iii-for-100k |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=PokerGO Tour |language=en}}</ref> His seven-game winning streak came to an end after Tom Dwan challenged him in round 2 and defeated him for $200,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sofen |first=Jon |date=August 25, 2021 |title=Down Goes the Poker Brat: Dwan Cracks Hellmuth's Aces Again to Win High Stakes Duel III |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2021/08/tom-dwan-beats-phil-hellmuth-high-stakes-duel-39704.htm |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=PokerNews.com |language=en}}</ref> Phil Hellmuth defeated Dwan in round 3 for $400,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duckworth |first=Tim |date=January 26, 2022 |title=Phil Hellmuth Wins Round 3 of High Stakes Duel III for $400,000 |url=https://www.pgt.com/news/phil-hellmuth-wins-round-3-of-high-stakes-duel-iii-for-400000 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=PokerGO Tour |language=en}}</ref>

==Other activities==
Hellmuth appeared in [[Game Show Network|GSN]]'s and PokerGo's [[cash game]] show, ''[[High Stakes Poker]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duckworth |first=Tim |date=November 16, 2020 |title=The Return of High Stakes Poker with Phil Hellmuth |url=https://www.pgt.com/news/the-return-of-high-stakes-poker-with-phil-hellmuth |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=PokerGO Tour |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chaffin |first=Sean |date=December 14, 2006 |title=BACK IN ACTION: 'High Stakes Poker' Returns to PokerGO With Plenty of Cash on the Line |url=https://www.uspoker.com/blog/high-stakes-poker-returns-with-plenty-of-cash-on-the-line/32434/ |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=US Poker}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sofen |first=Jon |date=February 13, 2021 |title=Hellmuth, Ivey, Dwan Highlight Throwback-Style 'High Stakes Poker' |url=https://www.cardschat.com/news/hellmuth-ivey-high-stakes-poker-episode-97934/ |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=CardsChat.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He was involved with creating the software for [[UltimateBet]] and was formerly a member of Team UB.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Richards |first=Connor |date=January 1, 2023 |title=Before FTX: A Look Back at the Ultimate Bet & Absolute Poker Superusing Scandal |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2022/11/ultimate-bet-scandal-42623.htm |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=PokerNews |language=en}}</ref>

Hellmuth has made several instructional poker videos, including his ''Ultimate White To Black Belt Course'' and ''Phil Hellmuth's Million Dollar Poker System.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marchand |first=Justin |date=July 18, 2007 |title=Poker Brat Parlays Gold Into Big Business |url=https://www.cardplayer.com/cardplayer-poker-magazines/65673-phil-hellmuth-20-14/articles/16864-poker-brat-parlays-gold-into-big-business |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=CardPlayer}}</ref> He has written for Cardplayer magazine and authored several poker books including ''Play Poker like the Pros,'' ''Bad Beats and Lucky Draws,'' ''The Greatest Poker Hands ever Played'', and ''Poker Brat.'' In May 2004 he partnered with [[Oasys Mobile]] to create a mobile app called ''Texas Hold'em by Phil Hellmuth.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 25, 2006 |title=Wireless Developer Network |url=http://www.wirelessdevnet.com/news/2006/jul/26/news6.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212114600/http://www.wirelessdevnet.com/news/2006/jul/26/news6.html |archive-date=February 12, 2009 |access-date=March 31, 2009 |publisher=Wirelessdevnet.com}}</ref> In spring 2006, Hellmuth replaced [[Phil Gordon (poker player)|Phil Gordon]] as commentator on Bravo's ''[[Celebrity Poker Showdown]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Feldman |first=Andrew |date=March 22, 2006 |title=Hellmuth is new host on Celebrity Poker Showdown |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/poker/news/story?id=2380357 |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Hellmuth was a poker coach on [[Fox Sports Network]]’s Best Damn Poker Show.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Best Damn Poker Show – Phil Hellmuth Blog |url=http://www.cardplayer.com/poker-blogs/6-phil-hellmuth/entries/2727-the-best-damn-poker-show |access-date=August 7, 2017 |website=www.cardplayer.com}}</ref>

In 2009, Hellmuth's publishing company, Phil's House Publishing, published the Stephen John and [[Marvin Karlins]] book ''Deal Me In: 20 Of The World's Top Poker Players Share The Heartbreaking and Inspiring Stories of How They Turned Pro''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Stephen A. |date=June 28, 2009 |title=Deal Me In – Phil Hellmuth |url=http://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/7062-deal-me-in-phil-hellmuth |access-date=August 7, 2017 |website=CardPlayer.com}}</ref>

==Personality and controversy==

Hellmuth is known for his "Poker Brat" personality,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sofen |first=Jon |date=January 8, 2019 |title=CardsChat Interview: Phil Hellmuth on Relationship with Negreanu, GTO Poker, and DraftKings Sports Betting National Championship |url=https://www.cardschat.com/news/phil-hellmuth-interview-negreanu-76185 |access-date=November 22, 2019 |website=CardsChat.com}}</ref> especially after taking bad beats. In the first week of ''[[Poker After Dark]]'' on NBC, Hellmuth asked fellow pros [[Shawn Sheikhan]], [[Steve Zolotow]], [[Gus Hansen]] and [[Huck Seed]] to stop talking while it was his turn to act on his hand after [[Annie Duke]] raised him. They initially complied, but when Hellmuth began to talk, he was mocked by Seed, who said, "please be quiet so I can talk," eliciting laughter from the other players. Hellmuth then threatened never to play on the show again and walked off the set. After the show's producers intervened, Hellmuth returned and was eliminated a few hands later by Sheikhan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 4, 2007 |title=Phil Hellmuth's Blog |url=http://www.philhellmuth.com/articles.html?id=122 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212031007/http://www.philhellmuth.com/articles.html?id=122 |archive-date=February 12, 2009 |access-date=March 31, 2009 |publisher=Philhellmuth.com}}</ref> Duke remained quiet while the drama played out, though in a later interview, she described Hellmuth's behavior as "one of the biggest overreactions I have ever seen."<ref>Poker After Dark: Best Of, NBC, original airdate June 28, 2009.</ref>

On Day 5 of the 2008 WSOP Main Event, Hellmuth folded {{cards|As|Kh}} to Cristian Dragomir's bet on a flop of {{cards| 9c|10c|7s}}. Asked by the table to show his hand, Dragomir revealed that he had called Hellmuth's pre-flop re-raise with {{cards|10d|4d}}, a much weaker hand. Hellmuth proceeded to call Dragomir an "idiot," among other insults, and was eventually issued a warning by the floorperson for continued berating of another player. Other players, including his friend [[Mike Matusow]], advised him to stop. Nonetheless, he continued to verbally abuse Dragomir until he received a one-round penalty. The penalty was to be carried out at the beginning of play the next day.<ref name="WSOP Event 54, Day 5"/> After Hellmuth had a private meeting with WSOP Commissioner [[Jeffrey Pollack]], Pollack overruled the floorperson's penalty.<ref name="WSOP Event 54, Day 6" />

==Bibliography==
* ''#POSITIVITY: You Are Always In The Right Place At The Right Time'' (2017) {{ISBN|193654900X}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hawk |first=Ryan |date=August 19, 2018 |title=Episode #271: Phil Hellmuth – From Poker Brat To #Positivity. 15 Time World Champion Shares His Insecurities |url=https://learningleader.com/philhellmuthryanhawk/ |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=The Learning Leader Show |language=en-US}}</ref>
* ''Phil Hellmuth's Texas Hold 'Em'' (2005) {{ISBN|0-06-083460-9}}
* ''Bad Beats and Lucky Draws: Poker Strategies, Winning Hands, and Stories from the Professional Poker Tour'' (2004) {{ISBN|0-06-074083-3}}
* ''Play Poker Like the Pros'' (2003) {{ISBN|0-06-000572-6}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
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* {{official website}}
* {{cite web |url= http://www.cardplayer.com/poker-players/1356-phil-hellmuth/columns |title= Articles by Hellmuth |url-access= subscription |website= [[Card Player (magazine)|Card Player]] }}
* {{cite web |url= https://cardplayerlifestyle.com/interview-phil-hellmuth/ |title= Interview with Phil Hellmuth |date= May 9, 2017 |first= Robbie |last= Strazynski |website= Card Player Lifestyle }}
* [https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-players/1356-phil-hellmuth Card Player profile]
* [https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=117 Hendon Mob profile]
* [https://www.pokernews.com/poker-players/phil-hellmuth/ PokerNews profile]
* [https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=271 WSOP profile]
* [https://www.worldpokertour.com/player/phil-hellmuth/ WPT profile]


{{WSOP Main Event champions}}
{{World Series of Poker Europe winners}}
{{Late Night Poker Winners}}
{{National Heads-Up Poker Championship Winners}}
{{1980s WSOP Bracelet Winners}}
{{1990s WSOP Bracelet Winners}}
{{2000s WSOP Bracelet Winners}}
{{2010s WSOP Bracelet Winners}}
{{2020s WSOP bracelet winners}}
{{Poker Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hellmuth, Phil}}
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:American poker players]]
[[Category:World Series of Poker bracelet winners]]
[[Category:World Series of Poker Main Event winners]]
[[Category:World Series of Poker Europe Main Event winners]]
[[Category:National Heads-Up Poker Championship winners]]
[[Category:Poker After Dark tournament winners]]
[[Category:Poker commentators]]
[[Category:American gambling writers]]
[[Category:American male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:Writers from Madison, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Writers from Palo Alto, California]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Poker Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Madison West High School alumni]]