Hellmuth, aka “The Poker Brat”, started the final table in a great position; his $1.48 million chips putting him second behind Rick Fuller, and the 1989 WSOP Main-Event Champion was clearly enjoying himself. His opponents should have sensed what was to come.
Hellmuth certainly did, and with history beckoning him forward he got stuck into the final table right form the word go. Indeed such was his dominance he had built up a 4:1 chip lead when there were still three other players left. Andy Philacheck gave himself a chance in the heads-up battle by knocking out Morgan Machina to scoop a big pot, but in the end he proved no match for Hellmuth.
Ultimately Hellmuth simply crushed his less experienced opponent, forcing Philacheck to resort to all-in play to stand any chance at all. In the event overbetting his hands preflop did not do Philacheck much good either, and within no time at all he was facing a 6:1 chip defecit.
Hellmuth is not the sort of player to let such a big chip advantage slip, even when up against world class players, so it was no surprise when he quickly mopped up the remainder of Philacheck’s chips. There was some comical irony however, in the fact that Hellmuth’s winning hand, the one that gave him the record-breaking bracelet, involved him handing out a bad beat to his opponent. Unsurprisingly there was no whingeing from the poker brat when he caught a 3 on the flop to best his opponent’s A-T and take his place in history.
On hand to present Hellmuth with his bracelet were Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson, the two men he has been battling with for WSOP bragging rights since 1989. It was a touching moment which brought a rare humbleness to the normally brash Hellmuth as he contemplated his achievement.
It is true that Hellmuth plays far more events that either Brunson or Chan, but this should not dent the enormity of his accomplishment, nor would Brunson or Chan hold it against him. It has been an amazing effort by Hellmuth and his desire to be the best should be highly commended. Despite his sometimes embarrassing behaviour, Hellmuth has undoubtedly been an asset to the poker world. Congratulations Phil, you deserve it!