Professional poker player Phil Hellmuth has announced his decision not to participate in the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, citing the tournament's demanding schedule as the reason for his withdrawal.
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Poker legend Phil Hellmuth has announced he'll sit out the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, branding it as a grueling "endurance contest" that took a toll on older players. In a candid video posted on X on Tuesday, the 60-year-old vocalized his disappointment at not competing in his beloved tournament this year.
Hellmuth, a 17-time bracelet winner, has played in the Main Event every year since 1988, but feels burnt out by the relentless schedule. Players are kept at the tables from noon until midnight for seven consecutive days—a challenge he feels disproportionately impacts older players.
With four prominent players confessing to calling it quits on the Main Event because of exhaustion in the late stages, Hellmuth is concerned that the event prioritizes endurance over skill. If given the chance, 80% of the players might favor a day off during the tournament, he suggests. The remaining 20%—the younger competitors—view it as an edge against their tired opponents.
The 1989 Main Event champion has high hopes that the WSOP organizers will make adjustments to accommodate players of his age group. This year's schedule was unveiled on Monday, with the Main Event set to run from July 2 to July 16 at the Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas.
Despite his decision to bow out in 2025, Hellmuth remains optimistic about a potential return in 2026 if the WSOP adopts his suggested changes. This year's WSOP saw the introduction of several rule changes aimed at enhancing game integrity and player comfort, such as a no-show policy and updated policies on electronic devices and blind dodging. However, there's currently no information indicating a schedule change to include a day off for the Main Event, so players must keep an ear to the ground for official updates.
- Phil Hellmuth, the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event absentee, expressed his concerns about the tournament's grueling schedule, particularly its impact on older players like him.
- In 2025, veteran poker pro Phil Hellmuth believes a significant number of players, approximately 80%, would welcome a day off during the WSOP Main Event, as they feel the current marathon-like schedule favors endurance over skill.
- Despite skipping the 2025 Main Event at the casino-and-gambling hub of Las Vegas, Phil Hellmuth remains hopeful for a return in 2026, believing that suggested changes, such as a day off for players, could breathe fresh life into the prestigious sports event.
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