From August 15 to 17, the Lilac Club Casino in New Hampshire welcomed poker fans for its $100,000 “Beat the Champ” Tournament Weekend, headlined by 17-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth. The three-day festival combined competition with community engagement, drawing local players as well as notable poker figures.
The highlight of the weekend was the $1,200 buy-in “Beat the Champ” tournament, which attracted 136 entrants. It was Brandon Cantu — one of just 27 players in history to hold both a WSOP bracelet and a World Poker Tour (WPT) title — who claimed victory. Cantu secured the top prize of $29,000, defeating a field that also featured 2025 WSOP Player of the Year Shaun Deeb and Granite State Gaming and Hospitality CEO Greg Carlin.
Hellmuth himself took part in the action, joined by his two sons Phillip and Nick, longtime friend and NASCAR driver Jason White, and Cantu. True to its name, the event offered a $500 bounty to whoever managed to knock out Hellmuth. That moment came when Rochester player Mike R. eliminated him, earning both the cash reward and a commemorative t-shirt marking the achievement.
The weekend included more than tournament play. Ahead of the competition, Hellmuth hosted a signing session for his memoir, where local artist Jess White presented him with a hand-painted portrait. Moved by the gesture, Hellmuth sponsored her buy-in to the main event, giving her a chance to compete alongside seasoned professionals and local players alike.
On the final day, Hellmuth returned to the poker room with his sons for a casual meet-up game at the $1–$3 cash tables, where they mixed it up with New Hampshire regulars.
With strong turnout and lively side events, the Lilac Club Casino further established itself as a growing destination for poker and entertainment in the region.
