Phil Hellmuth Aims for More WSOP Bracelets and Player of the Year Title

Phil Hellmuth is targeting another haul of bracelets at the WSOP and has his eyes set squarely on this year’s Player of the Year title. The 16-time bracelet winner is returning to Las Vegas with the intention of matching his stellar performance from last year when he extended his bracelet tally and backed it up with a brace of runner-up finishes, a couple of fourths, a fifth and a sixth.

Phil Hellmuth has had four runner-up finishes in the last 16 years. Speaking to PokerNews Hellmuth expressed just how much it hurts to have lost this accolade in close circumstances so many times. “One year, Greg Merson had to finish first in the Main Event to take it away from me, which he did. Another year, Ben Lamb had to finish eighth or better in the Main to take it away – he finished third. In 2006, I passed Jeff Madsen to win it by rules they had posted in the last event, but they had a meeting to determine who won it. They gave it to him! So yes, it fucking hurts!”

Phil Hellmuth plans to take only a week out of his busy schedule to maintain decent energy levels. “I will take 7-8 days off during WSOP, just like last year. I can win more by playing less. Last year I made five final tables in three weeks and was completely spent. After a first-place on Sunday, and a second-place on Wednesday, my adrenaline was completely gone. I didn’t cash for three weeks after that!”