The World Series of Poker (WSOP) unveiled its summer schedule on Monday, but on Tuesday, Phil Hellmuth made headlines of his own. The 17-time bracelet winner announced that he will not be competing in the $10,000 Main Event this year.
Hellmuth, who won the Main Event in 1989 at just 24 years old—becoming the youngest champion at the time—cited the tournament’s grueling structure as his reason for stepping away. Now 60, he believes the event has turned into an “endurance contest” that favors younger players.
“I truly believe that 80% of players want changes made to the World Series of Poker Main Event,” Hellmuth wrote on Twitter. “Twelve-hour days, or longer, for six to seven days in a row is brutal and disproportionately affects older players.”
The 2024 Main Event, won by 38-year-old Jonathan Tamayo, lasted 15 days, including four starting flights, two Day 2 sessions, and a day off before the final table.
A Test of Stamina
Having played every Main Event since 1988, Hellmuth explained his decision in a video, calling the schedule “too tough.”
“People at home say, ‘Phil, you can play seven days in a row.’ Yeah? Try it. Try playing from noon until midnight every day for a week,” he said.
He pointed out that some days stretch past 2 or 3 a.m., making the schedule even more exhausting.
“I think that really hurts older players disproportionately,” he said. “A lot of great players have told me they busted out simply because they were too tired—whether with 100 left, 50 left, or even 30 left. It’s turned into an endurance test, not a measure of skill.”
Hellmuth still calls the Main Event his “favorite tournament in the world” but acknowledges that it has become too demanding for him.
“I don’t want to miss it, but I know I can’t do it. I’m 60. Honestly, I don’t think I could have done it at 50.”
He advocates for scheduled rest days, arguing that the tournament shouldn’t be about “who gets too tired and spews their chips.”
“I hope that in 2026, some changes are made to bring back more skill and less endurance,” he said.
A Changing Game
Hellmuth’s last Main Event cash came in 2009, when he finished 436th. He also narrowly missed cashing in the World Series of Poker Paradise Main Event this year, busting on the money bubble.
No player in their 60s has won the Main Event since 61-year-old Noel Furlong claimed the title in 1999, when the field was just 393 players. In modern times, the oldest champions include 55-year-old Hossein Ensan (2019) and 45-year-old Damian Salas (2020).
Mixed Reactions from the Poker Community
Hellmuth’s stance sparked debate. Some agreed with him, including poker ambassador Jen Shahade, who noted the demanding schedule is especially tough on pregnant players and those with disabilities.
Others, however, argued that adding days off would only make the event longer, making travel logistics harder.
“The Main Event structure is great,” said 888poker ambassador Ian Simpson. “What we really need is for them to stop increasing the rake and other travel expenses.”
Many doubted whether Hellmuth could resist playing. Kevin Martin likened it to Michael Jordan skipping the NBA Finals.
Skipping the event would also mean no over-the-top entrances from Hellmuth, who in past years has arrived dressed as a racecar driver, Roman emperor, war general, ringmaster, Gandalf, Poseidon, and even Darth Vader.
Television writer and poker player Matt Salsberg was skeptical. “No chance you skip the Main. Your FOMO will kick in by Day 2 when you can still late-reg and play three levels,” he joked. “And if you survive a day and a half, you’re in the money. Adrenaline kicks in, plus you can nap during dinner breaks and get massages. Man up!”
Three-time bracelet winner David Baker echoed the sentiment. “I miss the 72-hour sessions at Commerce, when we’d laugh at people quitting after two straight days. Now, if you don’t get your gym, tan, mani/pedi, and 12 hours of beauty sleep, you can’t play?”
Perhaps if Hellmuth doesn’t enter, his son Phillip will. The two recently played high-roller events at the PokerGO studio, and Hellmuth says his son is developing into a strong player.
Meanwhile, Hellmuth continues making headlines—most recently by signing a deal as an online poker ambassador for Rush Street Interactive.