Casino Choice UK News Archive
Poker legend ensures his place in history as WSOP hands out over $40 million
It is of course a silly claim, more for publicity and self-aggrandising than anything else, and few people would ever suggest Hellmuth is the greatest poker player in history, nor will he ever be. But Hellmuth can claim to be one of, if not the, most successful player in the history of the World Series of Poker, for now at least.
By winning the $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em event on Monday Hellmuth became the first player in WSOP history to notch up eleven bracelets, and one of those represents his win in “the big one” in 1989. It is an incredible achievement, and when he was presented his bracelet by two of the games true ‘greats’ Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson, it was a touching moment.
There are many different forms of poker, and many different ways to measure a players skill, so Hellmuth’s prowess in tournaments should not be overplayed. HE has famously won all eleven bracelets in Hold’em events, and while he is a reasonably talented in other games he has not yet managed to prove he can beat the best in those forms.
Hellmuth has also conspicuously failed to succeed while playing in the world’s highest stakes cash games, where cash specialists have often shown that his tournament excellence does not translate across all forms of the game.
Nevertheless, it is perhaps a bit unfair, just two days after one of the greatest days of Phil Hellmuth’s career, to start questioning his ability. His achievement is undeniably extraordinary, and he is clearly one of the greatest Hold’em tournament players we have ever seen. Congratulations Phil!
Meanwhile, with 18 events now played the World Series of Poker has handed out over $40,000,000 in prizes! The last two winners were Sally Boyer, who picked up $262,077 for winning the Ladies $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em event, and Saro Getzoyan, who collected $333,379 for his victory in the $5,000 Limit Hold’em Championship.
By winning the $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em event on Monday Hellmuth became the first player in WSOP history to notch up eleven bracelets, and one of those represents his win in “the big one” in 1989. It is an incredible achievement, and when he was presented his bracelet by two of the games true ‘greats’ Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson, it was a touching moment.
There are many different forms of poker, and many different ways to measure a players skill, so Hellmuth’s prowess in tournaments should not be overplayed. HE has famously won all eleven bracelets in Hold’em events, and while he is a reasonably talented in other games he has not yet managed to prove he can beat the best in those forms.
Hellmuth has also conspicuously failed to succeed while playing in the world’s highest stakes cash games, where cash specialists have often shown that his tournament excellence does not translate across all forms of the game.
Nevertheless, it is perhaps a bit unfair, just two days after one of the greatest days of Phil Hellmuth’s career, to start questioning his ability. His achievement is undeniably extraordinary, and he is clearly one of the greatest Hold’em tournament players we have ever seen. Congratulations Phil!
Meanwhile, with 18 events now played the World Series of Poker has handed out over $40,000,000 in prizes! The last two winners were Sally Boyer, who picked up $262,077 for winning the Ladies $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em event, and Saro Getzoyan, who collected $333,379 for his victory in the $5,000 Limit Hold’em Championship.
Submitted: 2007/06/13 at 14:59:39
