Hellmuth Announces he is Not Playing 2025 WSOP Main Event

He'd be a middle manager somewhere making sure every rule and policy is strictly enforced

He's going to play it lol no way he sits it out

At the end of the day you can't compromise the mains deep structure because one famous player thinks it's too tiring because he's getting older.

If they added a rest day after day 5 or 6 or whatever that'd be fair enough but beyond that the structure should remain insanely deep that's the whole point of the main it it's too much for anyone they can just choose to not play

Hellmuths going to play though obviously it's too bad for his brand and endorsements not to

again, WSOP ME is absolutely fine as is nothing needs changed.

if anything the championship events should dbe 1 and done

The last time Phil played back-to-back days in the Main Event was 2015. The last time before that was 2009. This is obviously just attention seeking/outright lying.

Maybe he plans to win this year. Then he will need some breaks, sleeping long, etc.

Is he pulling a Magnus Carlsen?

They should have circuit events that you have to win in order to make the World Series main.

Then cut the days down to 10-10.

In the history of the main event only 2 people over the age of 60 has won it, Johnny Moss and Noel Furlong. We've had 5 players who won it at age 50, Hossein Ensan, Hal Fowler, Jack Straus, Bill Smith, Berry Johnston and I think 3 of those names are drunken blasters.

You were drawing slim even 30 years ago to win it at age 50 or 60. In the last decade we've had older final tables. Mostly because of the internet qualifiers not really being a thing like 2005-2010s. The FT lately has been 33-35, its a mix of young and some 60s and at least one 70 year old guy in 2015. The chess world champion shouldn't be 50-60 years old. Someone 50-60 shouldn't win The Masters. BUT if they did it would be a helluva accomplishment and should be celebrated. I can't think of any other game or sport where someone 50 or 70 could possibly make it deep into their championship event. The clock is ticking Phil.

Hellmuth: "To you its poker to me it's my life (except if it interferes with my sleep)"

Not every world championship should be possible to win in your 50s or 60s. I played the main a bunch of times in my 30s and then tried in my 40s and it was too exhausting, and realized my time was up for it. There's plenty of 2-3 day events I can still go if I want to scratch the itch.

Wonder what the age ratio is for all participants vs the final table. Could there just be less seniors going for it?

Those feeling unfit may just opt out, like Phil.

Maybe he can ask his boy Negreanu if he can take naps in his trailer

I believe the average age is like 41

edit: source from 2019 the average age was 41.4 and the final table average age that year was 33 and won by a 55 year old. The odds though have always been long against a 50-60 year old. Maybe taking out less play and introducing a bit more luck will help, but they don't want to say that.

Exactly. He's acting like he made deep runs the last few years then punted his stack from being exhausted.

It's obvious PH doesn't take the main too seriously. Sure it would be nice to win but he knows it's not realistic. He has a real chance to win bracelets in small events so he focuses on them. In the main be shows up late, makes his obnoxious entrances and dusts it off on day 1 or 2 with no real focus . The 10k doesn't mean **** to him.

Time to bow out if he can't handle it, we all get old and can't do the things we would like but I wouldn't expect everyone else to conform to my views on how it should run.

Could be a combination of poker evolving and age itself. Almost ten years difference is quite huge.

I think Hellmuth's point is valid. I know Dan Harrington feels the same way.

However, I think it's important to the people who run the WSOP to have a packed house. So, I doubt if there will be any changes.

It's a 7-10k person tournament with a very high 7 figure first place. Of course it's going to be exhausting if you go deep. It's not supposed to be easy.

I've never been a tournament guy. There are a lot of things I don't like about them and one of them is in fact how long the days are if you actually play from the beginning. So i rarely play them. But it's an odd complaint coming from a guy who has made his name in tournaments and wants to spend the rest of his life chasing bracelets.

At 60 maybe you should be on the beach relaxing and enjoying the fruits life not being bothered by the WSOP with sweaty kids with 100% more stamina than you, Of course a good stimulant routine may be helpful but one would advise against such things at 60.

Retire there is no shame age catches us all.

Yep, other than maybe 2-7 & PLO, out of tradition.

The ME was designed to be a huge mental grind, this has been written about for over forty years. IMO it looks like Phil just got up cranky and wanted some attention. FWIW two of the very worst meltdowns deep in recent MEs were by 21yo Nick Marchington & 34yo Kristen Foxen.

Things change and that's ok. is the WSOP ME determining who the best player/world champion is? No.

The buy in has not changed, the number of people that can afford to play it has gone up considerably, the demographic/skill level of the average participant has changed, the image of poker has changed in the last 50 years, skills have changed etc....

It's no longer a "pro" only tournament for the few pros that can afford it or have the "skills" to play it.

It is now simply the largest tournament in player numbers(probably) with a high buy in and it has immense value for any good poker player due to the large field size and deep structure.

If its too taxing for you to play it and not worth the value/prestige for you then don't play it.

The PPC is probably a better measuring stick for any that care who the "best" is.

You might get more entries if people don't have to sweat being involved in a Hellmuth entrance.

Coming in with a bang, going out with a bang. Fading is not for him.

Prediction: In protest, Hellmuth will max late reg the Main Event this year.

While making an obnoxious entrance.