Monday marked a major milestone for poker with the release of the highly anticipated 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) schedule.
Hours later, Phil Hellmuth, the all-time bracelet leader and 1989 World Champion, shocked the poker world by announcing on X (formerly Twitter) that he would skip this summer's WSOP Main Event. He cited the tournament's grueling length and its physical toll on older players as key factors in his decision.
Hellmuth explains why he's skipping the 2025 WSOP Main Event
Hellmuth said:
"It's just too tough. People always tell me, ‘Phil, you could play seven days in a row.' Yeah? Try it. Try getting up and playing from noon to midnight for seven days straight-It's exhausting."
At 60 years old, Hellmuth expressed doubts about his ability to endure the Main Event's demanding schedule. He described the tournament as an "endurance test," explaining that playing from noon to midnight for seven consecutive days is physically exhausting. Hellmuth noted that many top pros have suffered eliminations due to fatigue and believes the Main Event is no longer a true measure of skill. He advocates for adding days off, which he claims 80% of players would support.
Despite his decision, Hellmuth emphasized his deep love for the WSOP and its significance to him. However, after more than 30 years of competing, he feels unable to continue with the current structure.
Will the Poker Brat really Skip the WSOP Main Event?
While Hellmuth's announcement seems definitive, he has a history of reversing bold statements. He's never missed a Main Event in 37 years and may be tempted to compete if the tournament's energy or a push for schedule changes entices him back.
Hellmuth's recent struggles in the Main Event - he hasn't cashed since 2015 - raise the question of whether his concerns about endurance are based on personal experience or merely an explanation for his recent performances.
2024 WSOP Main Event champ agrees
Even 2024 WSOP Main Event winner Jonathan Tamayo agrees with Hellmuth, acknowledging the tournament's toll on mental and physical endurance.
"At some point, my mental acuity will diminish to a point where I will be overwhelmed, too."
Source:
https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/02/phil-hellmuth-boycotts-2025-wsop-main-event-47970.htm
Image: WSOP/GGPoker/Phil Hellmuth
