Phil Hellmuth

Phil Hellmuth

aka "The Poker Brat"
Nationality
United States
United States
GPI Rank 322
WSOP Bracelets 17
Total Live Earnings $29,965,105
The Hendon Mob Data provided by The Hendon Mob

Biography

Phil Hellmuth, Jr. is an American poker player, widely regarded as one of the best poker players in history. Hellmuth has won a record 17 World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets, including the 1989 WSOP Main Event.

In 2007, he was inducted into the WSOP Hall of Fame. During his career, Hellmuth has acquired the nickname 'The Poker Brat' for his often expletive-filled rants about bad beats and his opponents’ dubious plays against him.

The poker legend, considered by many to be the greatest tournament poker player ever, won his 17th bracelet at the 2023 WSOP when he took down Event #72: Super Turbo Bounty for $803,818 plus bounties.

Hellmuth is a polarizing character due to his incessant trash talk, huge self-belief, and his often unorthodox playing style. However, there is no denying the Poker Brat’s ability; you do not win 17 WSOP bracelets without knowing your way around a poker tournament.

Never one to do things by halves, Hellmuth’s first WSOP bracelet came in 1989 when he took down the $10,000 Main Event. The then 24-year-old Hellmuth became the youngest-ever winner of the WSOP Main Event, a record he held until Peter Eastgate (22) won in 2008.

Hellmuth has since gone on to win 16 additional bracelets and is the only player in history to have won at least one WSOP bracelet in every decade from the 1980s to the 2020s.

Phil Hellmuth Background

Hellmuth resides in Palo Alto, California, but was born in Madison, Wisconsin. He attended Madison West High School before studying at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Hellmuth drooped out of college after three years and became a full-time poker player when he moved across the country to Las Vegas. Initially, things didn't go so well for the future Poker Hall of Famer, but he stuck with it, believed in his game, and would go on to have a legendary poker career.

Hellmuth and his wife, Katherine (Kathy), who is a psychiatrist at Stanford University, have two sons, Phillip III and Nicholas.

Phil Hellmuth at the World Series of Poker (WSOP)

Although Hellmuth has competed on the biggest stage worldwide, it is his amazing results at the World Series of Poker, the most prestigious poker series in the world, that he is best-known for. He is rapidly approaching 200 WSOP cashes and has, of course, 17 bracelets.

Hellmuth won the 1989 WSOP Main Event after defeating Johnny Chan heads-up. Chan is another poker legend, who currently owns ten WSOP bracelets. Hellmuth was only 24-years-old when he won the WSOP Main Event, making him the youngest-ever champion. He held that record until 2008 when Denmark’s Peter Eastgate won poker’s biggest prize, aged 22-years-old.

WSOP Main Event Winners 1980-89

YEARENTRIESCHAMPIONCOUNTRYPRIZE
1989178Phil HellmuthUnited States$755,000
1988167Johnny ChanUnited States$700,000
1987152Johnny ChanUnited States$625,000
1986141Berry JohnstonUnited States$570,000
1985140Bill SmithUnited States$700,000
1984132Jack KellerUnited States$660,000
1983108Tom McEvoyUnited States$540,000
1982104Jack StrausUnited States$520,000
198175Stu UngarUnited States$375,000
198073Stu UngarUnited States$385,000

The Poker Brat proved his Main Event victory was not a flash in the pan by winning his second bracelet in 1992, doing so in the $5,000 Limit Hold’em event. The following year saw Hellmuth secure three more bracelets, to become only the second player in history to win a trio of bracelets at a single series; Walter "Puggy" Pearson achieved this in 1973. Amazingly, Hellmuth’s three bracelets came on three consecutive days.

WSOP victories kept coming Hellmuth’s way, and he locked in his tenth bracelet in 2006 when he won the $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em with rebuys tournament. That tenth bracelet tied Hellmuth with Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson.

A year later, Hellmuth became the only player in history to win 11 bracelets after triumphing in the $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em event.

Hellmuth had to wait four years for his next bracelet. He won the $2,500 Seven-Card Razz event in 2012 for his first bracelet in a non-hold’em event. The same year, Hellmuth became the first player in history to win both the WSOP Main Event and the WSOP Europe Main Event, which netted him his 13th piece of poker jewelry.


Read More: You Won't Believe How Much Phil Hellmuth Won During the 2021 WSOP


In 2023, Hellmuth won his 17th bracelet in the wee hours of the morning when he took down the $10,000 Super Turbo Bounty for $803,818. He outlasted a frenzied final table that included 10-time bracelet winner Phil Ivey.

Phil Hellmuth's WSOP Bracelet Wins

YearEventPrize
1989$10,000 WSOP Main Event$755,000
1992Event #8: $5,000 Limit Hold'em$188,000
1993Event #7: $2,500 No-Limit Hold'em$173,000
1993Event #8: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em$161,400
1993Event #9: $5,000 Limit Hold'em$138,000
1997Event #15: $3,000 Pot-Limit Hold'em$204,000
2001Event #3: $2,000 No-Limit Hold'em$316,550
2003Event #12: $2,500 Limit Hold'em$171,400
2003Event #32: $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em$410,860
2006Event #34: $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em$631,863
2007Event #15: $1,500 No Limit Hold'em$637,250
2012Event #18: $2,500 Seven Card Razz$182,793
2012WSOPE €10,000 Main Event€1,022,376 ($1,333,841)
2015Event #17: $10,000 Razz Championship$271,105
2018Event #71: $5,000 No Limit Hold’em$485,082
2021Event #31: $1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw$84,851
2023Event #72: $10,000 Super Turbo Bounty$803,818

Phil Hellmuth and the World Poker Tour (WPT)

It is not only the WSOP where Hellmuth shines because he has some impressive statistics relating to his play in World Poker Tour (WPT) tournaments. Almost 20 in-the-money finishes and five final table appearances have seen Hellmuth win almost $1.6 million on the WPT. He came close to winning a WPT title at the 2017 WPT Legends of Poker, but lost heads-up to Artur Papazyan and had to make do with a runner-up finish.

Phil Hellmuth's Top 5 WPT Results

YearEventPlacePrize
2017WPT Legends of Poker2nd$364,370
2003WPT World Finals3rd$281,700
2008WPT L.A. Poker Classic6th$229,820
2010WPT World Championship7th$152,856
2007WPT World Championship18th$123,760

Phil Hellmuth Net Worth

According to celebritynetworth.com, Phil Hellmuth has a net worth of $20 million. Phil Hellmuth has earned his money primarily through his poker tournament winnings, sponsorships, and various business ventures. When Phil Hellmuth won a record-breaking 17th World Series of Poker bracelet in July 2023, that took Phil's recorded poker career winnings close to $30 million.

Phil Hellmuth Sponsorship

The now-defunct Ultimate Bet used to sponsor Hellmuth. He was an early investor in the site and a minority owner but cut ties after the Ultimate Bet/Absolute Poker scandal broke. Hellmuth has also been involved in various business ventures related to poker, including clothing lines and endorsement deals with poker-related companies.

Phil Hellmuth FAQs

Who is Phil Hellmuth?

Phil Hellmuth, whose full name is Phillip Jerome Hellmuth Jr., is a professional poker player hailing from Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

What age is Phil Hellmuth?

Phil Hellmuth was born on July 16, 1964.

What is Phil Hellmuth's Nickname?

Phil Hellmuth is often referred to as the "Poker Brat" because of his emotional outbursts and behavior at the poker table.

How did Phil Hellmuth become famous in poker?

Phil Hellmuth Became famous in the poker world by winning the 1989 WSOP Main Event at the age of 24, becoming the youngest Main Event champion at that time.

How many WSOP bracelets has Phil Hellmuth won?

As of 2023, Phil Hellmuth had won 17 WSOP bracelets, which is a record for the most bracelets won in WSOP history.

Is Phil Hellmuth the greatest poker player of all time?

Defining who is the great poker player of all time is a subjective matter, but Phil Hellmuth is widely regarded as one of the best poker players of all time, with his record number of WSOP bracelet wins supporting that.

Has Phil Hellmuth written any poker books?

Yes, Phil Hellmuth has authored several poker books, including "Play Poker Like the Pros" and "Poker Brat: Phil Hellmuth's Autobiography."

What is Phil Hellmuth's net worth?

According to celebritynetworth.com, Phil Hellmuth has an estimated net worth of $20 million, primarily earned through his poker tournament winnings, sponsorships, and various business ventures.

Is Phil Hellmuth married?

Yes, Phil Hellmuth is married. He is married to Katherine Sanborn, and they have been together for several years. The couple has children together.

Does Phil Hellmuth have children?

Yes, Phil Hellmuth and Katherine Sanborn have two sons together. Their children's names are Nicholas and Phillip III.

Is Phil Hellmuth on Twitter?

Yes, Phil Hellmuth is active on social media platforms such as Twitter. He often shares updates about his poker career, family life, and other personal interests with his followers.

PokerNews Covered Events

Event Place Prize
2023 WSOP Paradise
Event #1: $1,500 Mystery Millions
30th $17,600
2023 World Series of Poker
Event #90: $10,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em Championship
9th $86,118
2023 World Series of Poker
Event #86: $1,979 Poker Hall of Fame Bounty
19th $13,628
2023 World Series of Poker
Event #75: $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship
38th $16,175
2023 World Series of Poker
Event #72: $10,000 Super Turbo Bounty
1st $803,818
2023 World Series of Poker
Event #60: $1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw
29th $4,266
2023 World Series of Poker
Event #54: $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship
11th $29,478
2023 World Series of Poker
Event #43: $50,000 Poker Players Championship
14th $97,209
2023 World Series of Poker
Online Event #7: $500 PLO 6-Max
89th $1,009
2023 World Series of Poker
Event #35: $10,000 Secret Bounty
11th $45,301
2023 World Series of Poker
Event #27: $1,500 Eight Game Mix
59th $3,234
2023 World Series of Poker
Event #17: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better
127th $2,630
2023 World Series of Poker
Event #11: $600 No-Limit Hold'em Deepstack
47th $7,385
2023 World Series of Poker
Event #5: $1,500 Dealer's Choice (6-Handed)
21st $5,073
2022 World Series of Poker
Event #87: $5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold'em
38th $13,059
2022 World Series of Poker
[Online] $500 No-Limit Hold'em Summer Saver
103rd $1,038
2022 World Series of Poker
[Online] $777 Lucky 7's No-Limit Hold'em Second Chance
148th $1,368
2022 World Series of Poker
Event #65: $3,000 Freezeout No-Limit Hold'em
2nd $369,698
2022 World Series of Poker
Event #52: $2,500 Nine Game Mix 6-Handed
24th $7,096
2022 World Series of Poker
Event #38: $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw Championship
9th $31,796
2022 World Series of Poker
[Online] $1,000 PLO 6-Max
52nd $2,424
2022 World Series of Poker
Event #31: $10,000 Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw Championship
8th $31,552
2022 World Series of Poker
Event #7: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better
136th $2,400
2021 World Series of Poker
Event #88: $5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold'em
62nd $8,816
2021 World Series of Poker
Event #84: $50,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller
2nd $734,807
2021 World Series of Poker
Event #78: $10,000 Razz Championship
8th $31,411
2021 World Series of Poker
Event #36: $10,000 Dealer's Choice Championship
2nd $153,493
2021 World Series of Poker
Event #31: $1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw
1st $84,851
2021 World Series of Poker
Event #19: $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship
4th $54,730
2021 World Series of Poker
Event #9: $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship
5th $80,894
2021 World Series of Poker
Event #7: $1,500 Dealers Choice 6-Handed
18th $4,429
2021 World Series of Poker
Event #2: $25,000 H.O.R.S.E.
6th $95,329
2021 WSOP.com Online Bracelet Events
Event #23: $500 NLH Turbo
52nd $1,156
2021 WSOP.com Online Bracelet Events
Event #14: $500 No-Limit Hold'em
73rd $1,072
2021 WSOP.com Online Bracelet Events
Event #5: $1,000 NLH 8-Max
67th $2,011
2021 WSOP.com Online Bracelet Events
Event #3: $500 NLH Turbo Deepstack
58th $1,368
2021 WSOP.com Online Bracelet Events
Event #1: $500 NLH Big 500 Kick-Off
141st $862
2020 WSOP.com Online Bracelet Events
Event #31: $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em Championship
133rd $2,424
2020 WSOP.com Online Bracelet Events
Event #30: $500 No-Limit Hold'em Senior's Event
67th $842
2020 WSOP.com Online Bracelet Events
Event #25: $500 No-Limit Hold'em Summer Saver
216th $873
2020 WSOP.com Online Bracelet Events
Event #21: $777 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed
114th $1,429
2020 WSOP.com Online Bracelet Events
Event #20: $500 PLO 6-Handed
95th $921
2020 WSOP.com Online Bracelet Events
Event #19: $400 No-Limit Hold'em
310th $733
2020 WSOP.com Online Bracelet Events
Event #18: $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em 8-Handed Turbo DeepStack
97th $1,782
2020 WSOP.com Online Bracelet Events
Event #8: $500 No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout
109th $931
2020 WSOP.com Online Bracelet Events
Event #4: $500 No-Limit Hold'em Super Turbo
37th $1,963
2020 WSOP.com Online Bracelet Events
Event #1: $500 No-Limit Hold'em Kick-Off
11th $7,872
2019 World Series of Poker Europe
Event #10: €25,500 Mixed Games Championship
2nd €238,509
2019 World Series of Poker Europe
Event #7: €1,100 Turbo Bounty Hunter No-Limit Hold'em
40th €1,267
2019 World Series of Poker Europe
Event #5: €2,500 8-Game Mix
3rd €31,058
2019 World Series of Poker
Event #89: $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em
6th $94,899
2019 World Series of Poker
Event #84: The Closer - $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em
193rd $3,500
2019 World Series of Poker
Event #78: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Bounty
155th $1,416
2019 World Series of Poker
Event #82: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Double Stack
176th $3,244
2019 World Series of Poker
Event #53: $800 No-Limit Hold'em Deepstack
67th $3,904
2019 World Series of Poker
Event #37: $800 No-Limit Hold'em Deepstack
283rd $1,422
2019 World Series of Poker
Event #33: $1,500 Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw
59th $2,263
2019 World Series of Poker
Event #28: $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em
16th $13,830
2019 World Series of Poker
Event #19: Millionaire Maker - $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em
1242nd $2,324
2019 World Series of Poker
Event #23: $1,500 Eight Game Mix
59th $2,453
2019 World Series of Poker
Event #9: $600 No-Limit Hold'em Deepstack
897th $874
2018 World Series of Poker
Event #75: $1,500 The Closer No-Limit Hold'em (30 minute levels) - $1 Million Guarantee
385th $2,321
2018 World Series of Poker
Event #71: $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em (30 minute levels)
1st $485,082
2018 World Series of Poker
Event #53: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better
43rd $4,823
2018 World Series of Poker
Event #39: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Shootout
17th $5,227
2018 World Series of Poker
Event #35: $1,500 Mixed Omaha
35th $5,252
2018 World Series of Poker
Event #21: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em MILLIONAIRE MAKER
715th $2,808
2018 World Series of Poker
Event #3: $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em SHOOTOUT
21st $6,302
2018 US Poker Open
USPO #04 – $25,000 Mixed Game Championship
6th $67,500
2017 World Series of Poker Europe
Event #3: €1,100 No-Limit Hold'em Turbo Bounty Hunter
11th €2,554
2017 WSOP International Circuit King's Casino Rozvadov
Main Event
56th €3,639
2017 Poker Masters
Event #2 $50,000 No-Limit Hold'em
4th $200,000
2017 World Series of Poker
Event #69: $1,500 Razz
6th $19,865
2017 World Series of Poker
Event #48: $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship
9th $26,938
2017 World Series of Poker
Event #44: $3,000 H.O.R.S.E.
47th $5,013
2017 World Series of Poker
Event #37: $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em
249th $1,577
2017 World Series of Poker
Event #38: $10,000 Limit Hold'em Championship
16th $15,385
2017 World Series of Poker
Event #13: $1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw
18th $3,572
2017 World Series of Poker
Event #6: High Roller for One Drop - $111,111 No-Limit Hold'em
10th $312,006
2016 Super High Roller Bowl
$300,000 Super High Roller Bowl
4th $1,600,000
2014 World Series of Poker Asia-Pacific
$2,200 Six-Max No-Limit Hold'em
4th 38,909 AUD
2014 World Series of Poker
Event #61: $10,000 Seven-Card Stud Championship
6th $46,885
2014 World Series of Poker
Event #49: $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em
35th $18,318
2014 World Series of Poker
Event #47: $1,500 Ante-Only No-Limit Hold'em
30th $5,397
2014 World Series of Poker
Event #36: $1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball
18th $3,471
2014 World Series of Poker
Event #26: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em
29th $9,877
2014 World Series of Poker
Event #15: $3,000 Six-Handed No-Limit Hold'em
8th $45,022
2014 World Series of Poker
Event #7: $1,500 Seven-Card Razz
2nd $74,848
2013 World Series of Poker
Event #39: $1,500 Seven-Card Stud Hi-Low 8-or-Better
42nd $3,246
2013 World Series of Poker
Event #35: $3,000 Pot-Limit Omaha
26th $11,915
2013 World Series of Poker
Event #16: $10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em
5th $54,024
2012 World Series of Poker Europe
Event #7: €10,450 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event
1st €1,022,376
2012 World Series of Poker Europe
Event #5: €10,450 Mixed Max - No-Limit Hold'em
12th €20,443
2012 World Series of Poker Europe
Event #4: €3,250 No-Limit Hold'em Shootout
12th €5,428
2012 World Series of Poker Europe
Event #1: €2,700 Six-Handed No-Limit Hold'em
24th €4,887
2012 World Series of Poker
Event 55: $1,000,000 Big One for One Drop
4th $2,645,333
2012 World Series of Poker
Event 32: $10,000 H.O.R.S.E.
4th $134,056
2012 World Series of Poker
Event 18: $2,500 Seven Card Razz
1st $182,793
2012 World Series of Poker
Event 15: $5,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split 8-or-Better
15th $11,637
2012 World Series of Poker
Event 8: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Low Split 8-or-Better
52nd $4,817
2012 World Series of Poker
Event 2: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em
61st $7,204
2011 World Series of Poker Europe
Event #1: €2,680 Six-Handed No-Limit Hold'em
7th €24,183
2011 World Series of Poker
Event #55: $50,000 Poker Player's Championship
2nd $1,063,034
2011 World Series of Poker
Event #45: $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em
28th $10,560
2011 World Series of Poker
Event #40: $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em / Six Handed
36th $17,270
2011 World Series of Poker
Event #33: $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split-8 or Better Championship
2nd $273,233
2011 World Series of Poker
Event #16: $10,000 2-7 Draw Lowball Championship (No-Limit)
2nd $226,907
2010 World Series of Poker
Event #55: $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship
15th $39,906
2010 World Series of Poker
Event #41: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-low Split-8 or Better
7th $30,633
2010 World Series of Poker
Event #17: $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em
50th $14,517
2010 World Series of Poker
Event #8: $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em
15th $25,472
2009 World Series of Poker
Event 57 - $10,000 World Championship No Limit Hold'em
436th $25,027
2009 World Series of Poker
Event 56 - $5,000 Six-handed No Limit Hold'em
24th $26,824
2009 World Series of Poker
Event 48 - $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha Hi/Lo 8-or-better
14th $11,347
2009 World Series of Poker
Event 38 - $2,000 Limit Hold'em
17th $8,019
2009 World Series of Poker
Event 11 - $2,000 No Limit Hold'em
29th $12,761
2009 World Series of Poker
Event 34 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em
113th $3,231
2009 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship
$20,000 Heads-up Championship
6th $75,000
2008 World Series of Poker Europe
Event 2 - £2,500 H.O.R.S.E.
12th £6,188
2008 World Series of Poker
39th Annual World Series of Poker Main Event
45th $154,400
2008 World Series of Poker
Event 51 - $1,500 H.O.R.S.E.
3rd $93,168
2008 World Series of Poker
Event 47 - $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi/Low
33rd $2,895
2008 World Series of Poker
Event 32 - $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em
71st $6,604
2008 World Series of Poker
Event 28 - $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha w/ Rebuys
8th $100,292
2007 World Series of Poker
Event 52 - $1,000 No Limit Holdem w/ rebuys
95th $4,840
2007 World Series of Poker
Event 45 - $5,000 No Limit Holdem 6 Handed
31st $13,344
2007 World Series of Poker
Event 34 - $3,000 Limit Holdem
25th $7,761
2007 World Series of Poker
Event 15 - $1,500 No Limit Holdem
1st $637,254
WPT $25,000 Championship - Bellagio
WPT Championship Main Event
18th $123,670

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