Poker Hall of Famer and 1989 World Series of Poker Main Event champion Phil Hellmuth has told PokerOrg he will not be playing in this year’s Main Event for the first time since he started in 1988, citing the tournament's length and its effect on older players.
The excitement had yet to dim from yesterday’s morning release of the WSOP’s 100-event bracelet schedule when Hellmuth reached out to PokerOrg to drop a bombshell that no one saw coming.
The immediate $10,000,000 question we asked after a few speechless moments – Why? Say it ain’t so. Phil.
Not one to hold back his passion for the game, Hellmuth was very succinct regarding why he was pulling out of the biggest event of the year and poker’s ‘Super Bowl.’
'The WSOP Main is not set up fairly'
“If the WSOP Main Event does not give us a day off after Day 3 or Day 4, then I will not play in it!” exclaimed Hellmuth. “I told the WSOP as much a few months ago. Thus, this will end my run; I have played the Main Event every year since 1988.”
Hellmuth expanded in a video provided to PokerOrg:
The 1989 World Champion has bemoaned for years (many players believe rightly so) that the WSOP Main Event has turned into a marathon and more of a test of endurance in many ways than an overall skill set.
“I believe the WSOP Main is not set up fairly and has become an ‘Endurance Test.’ This proportionally negatively affects those who are older. I know of three of the biggest names in poker that ‘Bonked out’ on Day 6-8. They got way too tired and blew it due to fatigue.”
Ask the Org: Is Phil right about the WSOP Main Event?
While we had the newly-crowned BetRivers Ambassador on the phone, we ran a few questions by the 17-time WSOP bracelet winner to get his take on the 2025 WSOP Schedule.
What was your first reaction to this summer’s WSOP schedule?
I love the $25,000 1/2 NLH/1/2 PLO!
What are the top three events you’re most looking forward to?
I think differently than most. I played phenomenal poker in the $25,000 High Roller HORSE last year and felt like I should have won it.
Therefore, that event—third from the last tourney—jumps out off the page at me! Feeling some entitlement is a great thing and helps me on every level. Feeling like you “Deserved better based on the way I played” accrues for me and turns into victories.
What event(s) are missing that you were hoping to see?
I was hoping for three Razz tourneys, not 2 of them!
Razz has become a super popular tourney game, and it has a massive amount of skill in it.
Do you engage in any special preparations for the summer grind?
I will work out more often in the weeks before the WSOP begins.
I will set up a time to “practice” mixed games before the WSOP starts. I have done a poor job of setting time aside in the past to practice!
This year, I will NOT make that mistake!
Follow Phil on X: @phil_hellmuth and IG @philhellmuthpositivity
