‘Poker Brat’ Phil Hellmuth Falls Short in Bid for 15th WSOP Bracelet
Often regarded as one of the greatest poker players ever, Phil Hellmuth could only manage ninth place in the $10,000 buy-in Seven-card Stud Hi-Low/8 or Better Championship, but his characteristically vociferous behaviour kept the hundred plus Las Vegas crowd entertained.
Professional poker player and ‘poker brat’, Phil Hellmuth. ©High Stakes Database
Hellmuth was knocked out by fellow American, Abe Mosseri, to pick up a respectable $26,938, but he was left visibly frustrated that he could not add to his record tally of fourteen World Series of Poker bracelets. Mosseri, a two-time champion himself, did well to avoid entering a verbal spat on various occasions. After folding to a bet from Mosseri, Hellmuth went on the attack.
“C’mon! What the (expletive) is going on here? How many times are you going to do that (expletive)?”
Soon afterwards, the poker Hall of Famer left the table and proceeded to kick a nearby wall in frustration, to the delight of some spectators. The self-proclaimed ‘Poker Brat’ has a reputation for being hot-headed – a reputation that garners as many fans as his playing abilities and huge successes on the tour. Indeed, one fan, possibly concerned by a spell in which Hellmuth remained uncharacteristically quiet, sought a reaction from the poker legend. “Give ‘em hell, Phil”, came a voice from the crowd. Hellmuth acknowledged it with a knowing look and a nod of approval.
Losing another pot to Mosseri, he stood up and angrily swiped the cards together. After a short break, and with nine players remaining at the final table, Hellmuth had the shortest stack and was in trouble. Mosseri dealt the final blow and Hellmuth left the table for the last time. The event was eventually won by American Chris Vitch, who took home $320,193 and his second gold bracelet. Mosseri finished third with $138,608.
Hellmuth also caused controversy at his previous event just days earlier when he angrily swore at poker pro, and Mixed Martial Arts fighter, Terrence Chan. Near the climax of the $10,000 Limit Hold-em Championship, Chan picked up a lucky break on the river to ditch Hellmuth and move on to the final table. Hellmuth finished in sixteenth place.
With fourteen gold bracelets and 126 cashes to his name, Phil Hellmuth is the most successful player ever in the World Series of Poker. Three players, including Phil Ivey, have ten each, meaning Hellmuth is still some way clear of his closest rivals.
