Why is it that the Poker Brat always has a good World Series of Poker, but rarely gets big results the other ten months of the year?

Phil Hellmuth

Whatever you think about Phil Hellmuth, there is no denying his passion or his ability when it comes to bracelet events. He has over $12 million in WSOP cashes and holds a bunch of records including most cashes, most final tables and, of course, most bracelets.

It makes me wonder why, given such an amazing track record in Vegas and nearly thirty years in the game, that Hellmuth seemingly only plays well in bracelet events.

Yes he has plenty of other big cashes and 1st place finishes, but they are all a drop in the ocean when you compare them to the six weeks every year he spends in Vegas (And the WSOPE).

Preserving his legacy

His bracelet record means everything to him

It is plain to see that Hellmuth is someone who defines himself by his WSOP accomplishments. Nobody in poker has demonstrated as much passion for the World Series of Poker than the Poker Brat, and his bracelet record is almost always the first thing he name drops in interviews.

In fact, it amazes me that the WSOP chose Greg Merson, rather than Phil, to be their official brand ambassador. While Merson is very deserving, Hellmuth has given them so much publicity over the years he seemed like an obvious choice.

When you think of the WSOP, you think of Phil Hellmuth. His passionate ‘blow ups’ and grandiose Main Event entrances are as much a part of what poker fans to see every year as the poker itself.

So it seems that maybe the best argument for Hellmuth only really excelling in bracelet events is because they provide a much bigger source of motivation than any other event. In this regard, I think it is as much about preserving his current legacy than anything else. I doubt winning an EPT would mean much to Phil, but making sure he stays ahead of Phil Ivey in the bracelet rankings gets him out of bed every morning.

Work/life balance

To many the Poker Brat is the WSOP

Then there is the simple fact that the live tournament circuit is a long hard grind. Hellmuth is no spring chicken, in fact this year he has become old enough to play the Seniors event. Playing twelve months of the year is a big ask for anyone, but six weeks in Vegas is something he can probably physically and mentally build up towards.

Amazingly, for someone who has a reputation for being mentally unbalanced, this also probably demonstrates that Phil has a better work/life balance than most of his peers. He probably spends the better part of three quarters of the year with friends, family, doing media work and his other favourite pastime of namedropping with his celebrity friends.

You can’t really knock Phil for any of this. If he can work intensively for six weeks a year, enjoy his life and still preserve his legacy, more power to him. It makes me even more convinced that the ‘Poker Brat’ we see on TV really is just a character.

I for one love the annual Hellmuth performances at the WSOP. We are at a stage now where few can doubt his ability, in bracelet events at least, and for me Phil Hellmuth is the World Series of Poker. Some people may think that his relative lack of accomplishments outside of the Series is a weakness on his part, but I think that it actually makes his achievements all the more endearing.

Do you think Hellmuth is the greatest of all time? Why does he crush the WSOP but not the EPT or WPT? Let us know in the comments.

Barry Carter Barry Carter is the editor of PokerStrategy.com and the co-author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 & 2. Twitter

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