The World Series of Poker released its summer schedule, but Phil Hellmuth had his own announcement. The 17-time bracelet winner said he won’t be playing the $10,000 Main Event in 2024.
Hellmuth, who won the tournament in 1989 at age 24, believes the structure now favors younger players. He pointed out that playing 12-hour days for a full week is exhausting, particularly for older players.
“I truly believe that 80% of the players want changes made to the WSOP Main Event,” he wrote on Twitter. “Twelve-hour days, or longer, for six to seven days in a row is brutal and disproportionately affects older players.”
The 2024 Main Event was won by Jonathan Tamayo, who battled through a 15-day schedule that included four starting flights, two Day 2 flights, and one rest day before the final table.
A Tough Decision
Hellmuth, who celebrated his 60th birthday last year in Vegas, has played every Main Event since 1988. He explained in a video why he’s planning on skipping it this year.
“It’s just too tough,” he said. “People at home are like, ‘Phil, you can play seven days in a row.’ Yeah, try it. Try getting up and playing noon until midnight seven days in a row.”
Some sessions last until 2 or 3 a.m., adding to the challenge. Hellmuth believes this format makes the tournament more about endurance than skill.
“I think that really hurts the older players in a much bigger proportion than the younger players,” he said. “More great players tell me that they blew the Main Event because they got too tired with 100 left, 50 left, 30 left. It’s turned into an endurance test. I don’t think the World Series of Poker Main Event is measuring skill.”
I am not playing the @WSOP Main Event. It has become an “Endurance contest.”
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New players only. Exclusive Welcome Bonus of 177% + 77 Free SpinsI truly believe that 80% of the players want changes made to the @WSOP Main Event. 12 hour days, or longer, for 6-7 days in row, is brutal and disproportionately affects older players pic.twitter.com/7K4OcJOZ56
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) February 18, 2025
Calling for Change
Hellmuth wants scheduled days off and believes most players would agree with him. He doesn’t think fatigue should be a deciding factor in a tournament meant to test poker ability.
“I hope that in 2026 there are some changes made so that we can restore more skill and less endurance,” he said. “I really hope they make those changes.”
His last cash in the Main Event was in 2015, when he finished 417th. He also bubbled in the WSOP Paradise Main Event, just missing the money.
Mixed Reactions in the Poker Community
Many players acknowledge that consecutive long days take a toll. At the same time, they believe overcoming that challenge is part of what makes winning the Main Event so special.
WSOP officials are unlikely to adjust the schedule based on Hellmuth’s request. Some have suggested reducing blind levels from 120 minutes to 90 minutes as a possible alternative in the future.
As for Hellmuth skipping the Main Event, we think he is going to change his mind. When the tournament begins, we’ll be expecting to see him at the tables, even if he has to find a way to save face.
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