Will Phil Helmuth’s record one day be beaten? Will Phil Ivey eventually be able to unseat him from his throne, as has been claimed? Despite those questions surfacing each year when the WSOP comes around, it seems that Hellmuth always answers them by extending his lead. He continues to push forward with great resolve in his race to accumulate bracelets, a race which began with a main event victory in 1989.
This year, in the $10,000 Razz Championship event, Hellmuth has once again demonstrated his talent, defeating Mike Gordinsky heads up. The event attracted 103 runners, including lots of big names: Mike Leah (4th) Stephen Chidwick (7th) Brandon Shack-Harris (8th) Shaun Deeb (9th) and Erik Seidel (11th). Since his 11th title in 2007, the former ambassador of Ultimatebet won two more bracelets in 2012. Hellmuth won his first non Holdem bracelet, in the $2,500 Razz, before winning the WSOPE main event in Cannes too. His latest Razz bracelets shows the world his quality in this game, and increases a record which may end up standing for a very long time.
Phil Hellmuth won yesterday his 14th WSOP bracelet
He has now spent 26 years at the top, defying the idea that a young generation pushing through will force him aside and cause his relentless winning to fade. Only a few individuals seem to have any chance of surpassing Hellmuth’s 14 bracelets in the next 20 years. Phil Ivey is the prince in waiting, and a few years ago when they were both heads up for a bracelet simultaneously, in different events on opposite sides of the Rio, it seemed that Ivey could drag Hellmuth’s record to within touching distance if he won and Hellmuth lost. However, Ivey was defeated by Andy Frankenberger and Hellmuth did what he does best, dispatching his opponent and extending his lead over Ivey, who currently holds 10.
Daniel Negreanu is another who could challenge him eventually, although he currently sits with only 6, but having made the same number of final tables as Ivey, has been a little unfortunate. Erik Seidel holds 8, but at the age of 55 may never challenge Hellmuth’s record. All of these players have adapted their style to the changing poker world, but still, nothing seems to slow Hellmuth down.
Louis Hartwell
Graduated in Media Communication at the University of Lausanne, Louis Hartman is a co-founder of somuchpoker.com. He began his career in Cambodia as freelance journalist. In same time he was making his living by playing poker every night at that time. Intense learner, he read dozens of poker strategy books to improve his skills during many years. With a strong interest about poker "behind the scene" in Asia and his communication skills, Louis launched Somuchpoker in 2014.
Follow Me:
