On Day 3 of the World Series of Poker main event, Phil Hellmuth lived up to his ability to “dodge bullets, baby.”
Well, he wasn’t actually up against aces this time around. But the general philosophy still held true for the WSOP bracelet king. However, the general philosophy still held true for the WSOP bracelet king.
With 17 bracelets under his belt, it’s clear Hellmuth is the greatest WSOP player of all time. While his poker strategy is often criticized, he occasionally pulls out some incredibly astute live reads. This was one of those times.
Correctly Folding Ace-King
Playing nine-handed with the blinds at 1,000-2,500 with a 2,500 big blind ante, Phil Hellmuth raised to 5,000 from early position with [pc]AhKs[/pcn].
Michael Ginn was on his left and three-bet to 15,000 from middle position with [pc]KhKd[/pcn]. Action folded back around to Hellmuth, who went into the tank.
PokerGO commentator and poker pro Jared Bleznick then eerily foreshadowed the event well before it was Hellmuth’s turn to act.
“These are the moments in life where Phil Hellmuth is the best,” Bleznick said before Hellmuth said anything or made a decision. “I can see Hellmuth getting away from a hand like this. I can see it happening. If there’s anyone in the world that can fold, this is where he’s better than everyone else.”
Hellmuth would only take about 25 seconds before letting it go, sending the commentators into a state of delirium.
Then, Ginn showed him his pocket kings and Hellmuth echoed what Bleznick said to the audience.
“I’m the only guy on the whole planet who can fold that hand,” said Hellmuth before giving Ginn a fist bump.
He can dodge bullets, but can @phil_hellmuth dodge kings?!?!
Stream the @WSOP Main Event on https://t.co/2RQh5RNM18—live and on demand. pic.twitter.com/FwtoTQKmXa
— PokerGO (@PokerGO) July 9, 2025
Hellmuth Makes Correct Fold Despite Fatigue
During the hand, you can see the Wisconsin native and California resident with his head in his hands, nearly on the table.
After a long summer of grinding tournaments, and a couple days under his belt in the main, the 60-year-old was clearly tired.
Last February, Hellmuth said he wouldn’t play the main event, citing concerns about fatigue during a 10-day tournament. But he ultimately changed his minds after a social media poll voted that he should play.
His entrance into the tournament this year even included a rock star costume and performance of “Highway to Hell(muth)” on the way to his seat.
One-Outer Sends Hellmuth Home
Despite the world-class laydown, Hellmuth took a brutal beat to bust the main event later that evening. He moved all in with [pc]AsKd[/pcn] and was against Michael Zulker’s [pc]QsQd[/pcn].
According to the Card Player Poker Odds Calculator, Zulker was a 56% favorite to win the hand, but one queen had already been folded.
Hellmuth hit a king on the turn, but Zulker drilled the last queen in the deck on the river, sending the 1989 WSOP main event champ home.
He wasn’t going to play, but now he’s no longer allowed to play as all his chips are gone! @phil_hellmuth with a sickening exit from the 2025 @WSOP Main Event extending his drought in the greatest tournament of all time to 10 years! pic.twitter.com/KtSQ7FVoYY
— PokerGO (@PokerGO) July 9, 2025
It has been a relatively quiet summer for Hellmuth. His best finish came in the $2,500 Mixed Omaha Eight Max event, where he took third for $112,360. His other best finish was 13th in the $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo for $24,393.
Photo courtesy of PokerGO
