The countdown to the 2025 WSOP is on. 100 bracelets. All the poker players. And PokerOrg will be on the floor from start to finish.
Brian Hastings is a professional poker player with two decades of experience across a variety of formats — cash games and tournaments, no-limit hold’em (NLH) and mixed games. He has won six WSOP bracelets and is a coach at Run it Once and Octopi Poker.
What are you looking forward to most this summer at the WSOP?
I've been focused on my NLH tournament game for the last few years. While a lot of my success at the WSOP has been in mixed games — I feel like I say this every year — I will be playing most of my volume at NLH. Once I get to Vegas and see the mixed tournaments running, I’m never sure how long I’ll stick to that, but that’s the current plan.
You’ve won six WSOP bracelets, but only one in NLH for the 2012 Heads-Up Championship...
I've been putting all my time and energy into NLH tournaments. I also feel like I'm a better player than ever at them, and I want to put that to the test in Vegas this summer.
What's your favorite WSOP event?
The Main Event is number one for me. But I’ve always enjoyed HORSE, and eight-game tournaments are always fun.
Who would you swap 5% with this summer?
The first name that came to me is Stephen Chidwick.
What would you like to see the WSOP change to make it an overall better experience for the players?
It feels like every year there are first-time dealers all over the place at the WSOP. I know it's tough. There's a huge volume of players, and it's a logistical challenge. However, as a player, you can see the difference between playing at the WSOP properties and a place like the Wynn.
Anything else?
I’m not one to nitpick, but the $1,500 mixed game structures are too long and drawn out this year, especially in a World Series environment with so many tournaments to play. I don't think anybody wants to be playing the bubble of a $1,500 mixed event late on a Day 2, which apparently will happen in some of them this year. That's also why I'm not as bullish on playing a lot of mixed games this summer.
How has moving to LA with your family helped your poker mindset and overall game?
I really enjoy the quality of life here. It's a great place to get outside a lot and stay active. I'm in the best physical shape I've ever been in, and that definitely goes a long way toward being able to perform at the poker table.
We’ve been asking everyone if they think Phil Hellmuth will have too much FOMO and give in and play the Main Event. Do you think it’s too grueling?
Personally, it doesn't bother me at this stage of my life. I'm in good shape. I'm used to not sleeping for extremely long hours. As a new dad who wakes up at 6am most days, I'm okay with it. But I can see the case for shortening the days or adding some more off days. I would support that personally.
You can also see the challenge on the other side. You don't want to drag it out too long because people with jobs must commit more time away from them. That’s also tough.
As far as Phil goes, I can't say for sure. But I think he will play, if I had to commit to an answer, either side of even money.
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