Phil Hellmuth, a 17-time WSOP bracelet winner and the 1989 World Champion, has fired back at those questioning his cash game record. The 61-year-old “Poker Brat” announced on social media that he is willing to stake $500,000 of his own money in a televised cash game challenge against any critic, creating a $1,000,000 pot to prove he can win in the very games people claim he loses.
Hellmuth’s Offer: $500,000 vs. $500,000
- Each side posts $500,000.
- Games must take place in televised cash games, which he says are the very environments where critics believe he is a loser.
- The action would be “dollar for dollar” against him in these games.
Hellmuth defended his track record by pointing to his success on TV: “I won 23 out of 24 sessions in televised cash games between 2013 and 2019.” He further claimed that since 2014, he has booked $3 million in profits from cash games, adding that he has “tax records to prove it.”
The BetRivers Casino ambassador also cited his most recent appearances on Hellmuth’s Home Game, a new show airing on YouTube and CBS Sports Network. In six $25/$50 sessions, he said he is already up $110,000.
Critics Push Back on “White Magic”
For years, younger high-stakes professionals have argued that Hellmuth’s trademark “White Magic” approach—relying on intuition and live reads—cannot hold up against modern game theory optimal (GTO) strategies.
Marc Goone, a poker coach and commentator, recently released a YouTube video breaking down Hellmuth’s play. He argued that the legend often appears too risk-averse. “This leak bleeds money in today’s games,” Goone said. “I see players at $2/$5 and $5/$10 every single day wondering why they can’t move up [in stakes]. Hellmuth shows many of the same tendencies.”
Challengers Willing to Step In
Hellmuth’s offer quickly attracted attention. Brian Okin, who runs a private game featured on Venetian Poker Live and typically doesn’t allow many pros, said he would make an exception to invite Hellmuth.
Another name to surface was Ossi “Monarch” Ketola, who recently lost $15 million in a heads-up duel with Dan “Jungleman” Cates. Despite that setback, Ketola publicly expressed interest in battling the 17-time WSOP bracelet winner.
A Tournament Résumé Beyond Question
Even Hellmuth’s harshest critics rarely dispute his dominance in tournaments. According to The Hendon Mob, he has over $30 million in lifetime live tournament earnings. He also holds a record 17 WSOP bracelets—six more than Phil Ivey, who stands second with 11.
The question that lingers: can Hellmuth, one of the most decorated players in tournament history, translate that success into high-stakes cash games against today’s generation of GTO specialists? If an opponent accepts his challenge, the poker world may soon find out.
