Phil Hellmuth Wins 13th Bracelet

Phil Hellmuth, one of poker’s more famous faces as well as one of its biggest mouths, has set a new record by winning his 13th career WSOP gold bracelet.  Hellmuth’s win came last week at the 2025 WSOPE Main Event, where he beat out a total field of 420 players to capture not only the record-setting bracelet, but also a not-too-shabby cash prize of €1,022,376.  

Much has been said about Hellmuth’s play style in this tournament, and as commentator Antonio Esfandiari noted, Hellmuth has been playing a much looser and more aggressive game than has been seen from him in the past.  Esfandiari expressed his surprise at Hellmuth’s uncharacteristic play, which has generally been far more conservative than the style he trotted out at the Main Event, saying, “I was shocked, impressed and completely confused by Phil Hellmuth today.”

Speaking about his win, Hellmuth was quoted as saying, “This was the best poker I've ever played in my life, I know that for certain. I played as good as I can possibly play, caught a few breaks and here I am. I'm very thankful.”

Esfandiari, it should be noted, is having a pretty terrific year of poker himself, having taken home the largest prize ever of over $18 million at the Big One for One Drop tournament earlier this year, for which the buy in was a cool $1 million.  Esfandiari also took home a bracelet at this year’s WSOPE in Event #2, beating out 626 opponents and pocketing €126,207 for his efforts.  In addition to the Big One win and his victory at the WSOPE, Esfandiari has had six other cashes this year.

Hellmuth’s historic 13th bracelet victory has diverted some attention from the more polarizing story of Howard Lederer and the release of “The Lederer Files” last month, which has been the hot topic on poker forums since it came out.  Poker players, who usually spend more time researching the best poker bonus than following criminal cases, have been riveted by the Full Tilt story ever since Black Friday, so it’s no surprise Lederer’s speaking out has garnered a great deal of attention.  With online poker in the US still in a holding pattern, many US-based players are eager to be playing again, as explained in this Americas Cardroom review.

To earn his bracelet, Wisconsin born Hellmuth had to beat out Ukrainian businessman and part time poker pro Sergii Baranov in heads-up play.  The typically outspoken Hellmuth, nicknamed the “Poker Brat” for his tendency toward vocalization, particularly when he has encountered a bad beat, had words that were as out of the ordinary as his play was.  

"I know people don't expect me to use this word, but I'm humbled. I'm trying to figure out if this is real or not,” Hellmuth said.