The World Series of Pokef (WSOP) Paradise $5,300 Main Event hosted Day 1b on Sunday, and a couple of levels before the dinner break the WSOP’s most decorated player, 17-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth, made his entrance. As usual, he did so in grand style.
Hellmuth is no strange to making a spectacle whenever he enters a WSOP Main Event, a Vegas tradition he’s continuing in the Bahamas. In past years, the “Poker Brat” has shown up as Julius Caesar, General Patton, a racecar driver, Gandalf from Lord of the Rings, and most recently at the 2023 WSOP as P.T. Barnum from The Greatest Showman, complete with a sidekick in Dan “Jungleman” Cates as a lion.
At the Atlantis Paradise Island, Hellmuth was on theme coming dressed as Poseidon, god of the sea. With a look that somewhat resembled Jason Mamoa’s Aquaman, Hellmuth was flanked by 17 mermaids – one for each of his gold bracelets – and a Bahamian marching band of sorts.
Players React
The entrance was met with mixed reactions, but one player who was a fan was GGPoker Ambassador Daniel Negreanu.
“Every year Phil Hellmuth does a grandiose entrance to WSOP main event, and every year some people complain about what is ultimately a minor inconvenience during a poker tournament, saying it’s ‘disrespectful,’” Negreanu tweeted. “Personally, I think those people should be thanking him for the color and outrageousness he brings to the game because in the end, these pros are all richer, in part, because of Phil’s antics both on and off the felt. You don’t have to like it. You can think it’s obnoxious and self-indulgent. I wouldn’t do it… but I’m glad Phil does.”
Not everyone agreed as evidenced by responses to Negreanu’s post.
“I strongly disagree, but not for reasons listed here,” wrote Eric Froehlich. “The [Dan Cates] stuff is fantastic, and the reason why is that it isn’t disruptive to an entire venue playing an event that requires concentration. Spectacles, fun, and entertainment are great. Loud noises are awful.”
DJ MacKinnon echoed those sentiments: “All he has to do is do it during a break in the action. That’s it! But somehow he has to parade in while everyone who paid $5-10k to play their tournament is trying to focus. There would be 98% less complaints if it was during or coming back from break.”
Industry veteran Chris Gawlik offered his two cents when he wrote: “Poker is fun, and there should be more of this. His antics are a big part of what got poker to become mainstream. Like it or not, Hellmuth’s antics have benefitted everyone who calls themselves a poker professional.”
Here’s a look at some of Hellmuth’s costumed entrances from over the years:
Remaining 2023 WSOP Paradise Schedule
| Start Date | Event | Buy-in | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 8-14 | #10: Main Event Championship | $5,300 | $15,000,000 |
| Tue 12 Dec | #11: Flip & Go | $800 | |
| Wed 13 Dec | #12: No-Limit Hold’em Freezeout (Online) | $1,050 | $1,000,000 |
| #13: Pot-Limit Omaha Championship | $10,400 | $1,000,000 | |
| #14: The Closer Turbo Bounty | $2,200 | $1,000,000 | |
| Thu 14 Dec | #15: High Roller No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed | $10,400 | $1,000,000 |
Executive Editor U.S.
Executive Editor US, PokerNews Podcast co-host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.