Phil Hellmuth, Jr. is the greatest poker player to ever play the game. His 2007 World Series of Poker win was his 11th career WSOP title. In addition to having amassed an unsurpassed record 11 World Series of Poker championships, Hellmuth has set astonishing records for both most World Series cashes (68) and most final tables (41). As expected, Phil Hellmuth's net worth is staggering, due in part to his World Series of Poker wins and extensive list of main event finishes.
In 1989, 24 year-old Phil Hellmuth became the youngest person ever to win the World Series of Poker Main Event by defeating two time defending champion Johnny Chan. His record as the youngest champ stood for 19 years. In 1993, Hellmuth set another record by winning 3 bracelets in a single year and also a 2nd place finish.
Every time poker champion Phil Hellmuth wins a WSOP championship bracelet he gives it away. He has given bracelets to his mom, dad, wife, three sisters and brother, two sons, and close friends. But he's always kept the first one for himself.
The Poker Brat
Known as the "Poker Brat" for his always colorful, competitive and controversial personality, Phil Hellmuth has won Player of the Year honors, the NBC Heads-Up Championships, the European Poker Championships, and over 50 other major tournament titles. In 2007, he was elected to the Poker Hall of Fame. Phil Hellmuth's net worth is staggering, with his live tournament winnings contributing in excess of $10,700,000.
Phil Hellmuth is regarded by fellow players as a veteran of the game with a large heart and a word of gold, and he has frequently supported or assisted fellow players in need.
No Phil Hellmuth bio would be complete without pointing out his extensive entrepreneurial pursuits, further cementing his passion for the game. These include his clothing and merchandise company at www.PokerBrat.com, his New York Times bestselling book Play Poker Like the Pro's, his instructional DVD's, his online tutorials at iAmplify.com and his cell phone games from Oasys Mobile.
Phil Hellmuth is one of the most recognizable faces on television, with frequent appearances not only as a poker player but as a host on ESPN, Bravo, and NBC, as well as a competing coach against Annie Duke on FSN's The Best Damn Poker Show I and II.
Since 1998, Hellmuth has written 52 newspaper columns a year titled "Hand of the Week" that chronicle the amazing poker hands, stories and lessons from his journey through the legendary games against the world's most formidable opponents. His column is syndicated in papers around the world. Phil Hellmuth also blogs exclusively for CardPlayer.com and the UB Poker Blog.
Philanthropy
The Poker Brat is an active philanthropist, frequently emceeing charity tournaments for fallen police officers and firemen. Hellmuth actively gives to Heifer International, an organization that benefits developing villages in the world's poorest countries with livestock, poultry and grain: He would like you to visit them at: HeiferInternational.org.
Personal History
Phil Hellmuth Jr. grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, the oldest of 5 children in a Catholic family to Phil Hellmuth, Sr., a dean at the University of Wisconsin, and Lynn Hellmuth, a sculptor. At Blessed Sacrament elementary, he was best friends with the comedian Chris Farley.
Phil Jr. begin playing cards with his family and first learned Texas Hold 'Em at the UW student union. His most spirited games were against his grandmother, Agnes Slattery, to whom he dedicated his book Play Poker Like the Pro's.
Phil Hellmuth attended the University of Wisconsin for three years, dropping out after winning decent money in local poker games. He traveled to Las Vegas 10 times before winning at the tables, and he often returned to Madison to build a bankroll by working as a field laborer for Blaine Farms de-tassling corn and tilling soil.
Hellmuth chronicles his challenges breaking into the game in book Deal Me In: The World's Top 20 Poker Players Tell How They Turned Pro, available at PokerBrat.com.
Hellmuth's 1989 story has been written as a screenplay and is being developed as a major motion picture by Beacon Pictures.
No Phil Hellmuth bio would be complete without mentioning his ability to amass unparalleled career accomplishments without sacrificing his wholesome family life. Phil lives in California with his wife Kathy, a psychiatrist to whom he's been married for 19 years, and their two sons, Phillip III and Nicholas.
Phil's goal is simple: "I want to be the greatest poker player of all-time. But one who always puts family first."
Famous Phil Lines:
You can't even spell Poker!
If it weren't for luck, I'd win 'em all!
I can dodge bullets, baby!Phil Hellmuth's World Series of Poker Championships
Year
Tournament
Prize (US$)
$10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
$755,000
$5,000 Limit Hold'em
$168,000
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em
$161,400
1993
$2,500 No Limit Hold'em
$173,000
1993
$5,000 Limit Hold'em
$138,000
$3,000 Pot Limit Hold'em
$204,000
$2,000 No Limit Hold'em
$316,550
$2,500 Limit Hold'em
$171,400
2003
$3,000 No Limit Hold'em
$410,860
Phil Hellmuth's World Series of Poker Championships
$1,000 No Limit Hold'em with rebuys
$631,863
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em
$637,254
Phil Hellmuth's net worth and career accolades can be attributed to much more than his 11 World Series of Poker wins. Check out a selection of highlights from his other tournament victories and main event finishes.
Year
Tournament
Prize (US$)
39th World Series of Poker 2008
Event #54 - WSOP No Limit Hold'em Championship$154,400
39th World Series of Poker 2008
Event #28 - WSOP Pot Limit Omaha$100,292
LA Poker Classic / WPT Event Season 6
Event #29 - WPT No Limit Hold'em Championship$229,820
2007
WPT World Championship / WPT Event Season 5
WPT No Limit Hold'em Championship$123,760
2006
37th Annual World Series of Poker
Event #9 - WSOP No Limit Hold'em$423,893
Phil Hellmuth's net worth and career accolades can be attributed to much more than his 11 World Series of Poker wins. Check out a selection of highlights from his other tournament victories and main event finishes.
Year
Tournament
Prize (US$)
Tournament Of Champions - WSOP Circuit Qualified event
WSOP Circuit No Limit Hold'em T.O.C FINAL$250,000
2005 National Heads-Up Poker Championship
No Limit Hold'em$500,000
World Poker Finals WPT Season 2
WPT No Limit Hold'em$281,700
2003
2003 United States Poker Championship
Main Event - No Limit Hold'em$116,424
32nd Annual World Series of Poker
Event #27 - WSOP World Championship - No Limit Hold'em$303,705
Phil Hellmuth's net worth and career accolades can be attributed to much more than his 11 World Series of Poker wins. Check out a selection of highlights from his other tournament victories and main event finishes.
Year
Tournament
Prize (US$)
32nd Annual World Series of Poker
Event #23 - WSOP Limit Omaha Hi/Lo$103,785
2000
Poker EM 2000
Limit 7 Card Stud$161,920
2000
Carnival of Poker
No Limit Hold'e$100,700
1994
25th Annual World Series of Poker
Event #4 - WSOP No Limit Hold'em$93,900
1993
24th Annual World Series of Poker
Event #20 - WSOP No Limit Deuce to Seven Lowball$72,500
Phil Hellmuth's net worth and career accolades can be attributed to much more than his 11 World Series of Poker wins. Check out a selection of highlights from his other tournament victories and main event finishes.
Year
Tournament
Prize (US$)
1992
23rd Annual World Series of Poker
Event #4 - WSOP Limit Hold'em$84,000
1989
5th Annual Diamond Jim Brady
Event #20 - Main Event - No Limit Hold'em$78,000
