Phil Hellmuth has revealed that he won’t participate in the 2025 WSOP Main Event, labeling it as an “endurance contest” that is especially grueling for older players. The 60-year-old posted a video to X on Tuesday explaining his decision:
Hellmuth has played in the Main Event every year since 1988 and sounded disappointed to announce his withdrawal this year from his “favorite event in the world.” Playing seven consecutive days is too much, he said, with players sitting at the tables from noon until midnight.
disproportionately impacts older players
The 17-time bracelet winner doesn’t believe he can win due to this tough schedule, saying it disproportionately impacts older players. The 1989 WSOP Main Event champ said that four prominent players told him that they “blew” the Main Event as they got too tired in the closing stages.
Hellmuth thinks the tournament now tends to reward endurance more than skill. He believes that if the WSOP polls players that 80% would support having a day off during the tournament. The other 20% are people in their 20s who know they have an advantage when the older participants begin to tire.
If the organizers make changes, Hellmuth hopes to return in 2026. WSOP published this year’s schedule on Monday, with the Main Event running from July 2 through July 16 at the Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas.