Phil Hellmuth
“I love what they’ve done with WSOP Europe and I’m negotiating to play them. I think it’s a really good schedule,” stated the Poker Brat, referring to the repositioning of the WSOPE, which left Rozvadov to move to the Czech capital and become part of a trilogy of iconic festivals, along with the WSOP in Las Vegas and the WSOP Paradise, which will close the year.
Hellmuth’s potential presence in Prague would be a key boost for this new phase of the European festival. “The World Series has treated me very well. They want me at these events, so they cover some things for me that they don’t cover for others,” he explained on Poker.org, even with his usual relaxed tone. “They know it’s a bit of a hassle for me to get there. And a first-class flight is great because you can sleep in a bed. I need to rest,” he added.
Phil Hellmuth’s Request for the Main Event
In addition to discussing Europe, Hellmuth also revealed that he has already seen the 2026 WSOP schedule, about which he gave a positive assessment. “I think they’ve done a great job with that too,” he assured, although he reiterated his long-standing request to modify the Main Event structure.
Phil Hellmuth Asks for Rest Between Main Event Days.
“Give us an extra day off. You can play Day 1 and rest for a couple of days. Play Day 2 and rest for a day. How about giving us Day 6 off? There are about 200 players left. It won’t cost them much and it’s better for the game’s technique,” he argued, recalling that in 2025 – he had said he wouldn’t play it and then changed his mind – he saw several of the world’s best players fall victim to fatigue.
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In parallel, Hellmuth referred to the rumors of a new television deal for the 2026 WSOP, although he avoided confirming or denying them. “We’ll see what happens,” he limited himself to saying.
What he did make clear is his optimism about the current state of poker. For him, the game is going through a new wave of growth, comparable to the boom of 2003. “Poker continues to grow. During the pandemic, many players who had quit returned. And they returned better, more mature, understanding how to manage money better,” he explained.
He also highlighted the generational shift: “Young people started playing around that time. I know because they stop me at airports for the last five years. They tell me they are 19 or 20 years old and are fans.”
For Hellmuth, that mix of experience and youth is key: “Young people are attracted to being a little degenerate, in the best sense of the word. And if you’re going to be degenerate, the best way to do it is in a game of skill: poker.”
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