Phil Hellmuth has enjoyed many signature accomplishments throughout his poker career. He’s won 17 World Series of Poker bracelets, six more than Phil Ivey, who has the second-most of all time.
But Hellmuth’s also garnered tremendous attention for his entrances into the WSOP main event, and his costumes. He stepped things up in a big way with his first themed entrance in 2007. That year, he dressed up as a stock car racer and promptly crashed a racecar into a cement post in the parking lot.
Hellmuth has been Julius Caesar, a military general, a boxer, Thor, Gandalf, and The Greatest Showman. In recent years, he added ‘Jungleman’ Dan Cates to his act.
For 2025, the festivities grew even larger in scale, and he added even more participants. Hellmuth, joined by Cates, and his son, Phil Hellmuth III, entered clad in leather and wigs with guitars and a microphone as the elder Hellmuth pantomimed AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell.” The menagerie around Hellmuth slowly passed down the hallways of Horseshoe Las Vegas, and culminated when it reached the main ballroom and primary televised stage.
The Highway to Hellmuth…#WSOP2025 pic.twitter.com/prN20d3IE8
— WSOP – World Series of Poker (@WSOP) July 4, 2025
An Entrance In Doubt
Back in February, Hellmuth stated he would skip the WSOP main event for the first time in decades. He called the main event an ‘endurance test’. But by May, Hellmuth’s sentiments had changed, and he reversed course.
Hellmuth, with a big assist from his sponsor, BetRivers Poker, has additionally upped the ante with this year’s entrance. In tandem with the ‘Highway to Hellmuth’ theme, BetRivers is giving away a 2025 Ford Mustang in a prize drawing. Players earn entries by playing casino, sportsbook or poker on the BetRivers online platform, and the contest culminates in a live drawing.
🚗 WIN A BRAND-NEW FORD MUSTANG 🚗
Opt in & earn Drawing Entries by playing Casino, Sportsbook, or Poker at https://t.co/T9yuBuaJUc
Every Tuesday, 96 players win BetRivers Bonus Money or @phil_hellmuth themed prizes & top winner each week qualifies for a shot at the Mustang! pic.twitter.com/tXqmXFAKKL
— BetRivers Online Casino (@BetRiversCasino) June 22, 2025
Photo via BetRivers Poker X account.
