Phil Hellmuth, poker’s self-proclaimed “Poker Brat”, was eliminated in dramatic fashion on the stone bubble of the $50 million guaranteed World Series of Poker (WSOP) Paradise Super Main Event at Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas.

The 17-time WSOP bracelet winner, with wins stretching from 1989 to 2023, fell just short of a $50,000 minimum payout as 207 players advanced to Day 3 of the record-setting tournament. 

The $25,000 buy-in event boasts the largest guaranteed win in poker history. This promise of major winnings drew a total of 1,978 entrants, including 1,124 across four live starting flights and an additional 600 online qualifiers. When late registration closed on Day 2, the total entries fell 22 short of the 2,000 required to hit the guarantee, leaving a $550,000 overlay for the players to fight over. 

For those who want to get a taste of what poker’s elite experiences at these international tournaments,  US poker sites offer opportunities to practice skills and strategies, which will benefit those wanting to compete in high-stakes tournaments online. 

Phil Hellmuth’s unexpected exit was just one event that capped the tense evening of action as players attempted to avoid the dreaded bubble (the players eliminated outside of the payout positions). When 208 competitors were remaining, Hellmuth was holding just over three big blinds and he managed to find a spot to shove from under the gun with the ace-king. 

The action folded around to Paulius Vaitiekunas (who holds one WSOP bracelet) in the small blind, who made the call. This was followed by high-stakes regular Alan Keating in the big blind. Both players decided to heck the board down, waiting to see if Hellmuth would survive. 

The runout brought a queen-high flop followed by low cards on the turn and river. When the cards were revealed, Hellmuth’s ace-high couldn’t hold against Keating’s suited 7-6, which connected on the river for a pair of sevens. To make matters worse for Hellmuth, three other players on the other side of the tournament floor were also at risk on the bubble.

Had any of them been eliminated, Hellmuth would have earned a share of the minimum cash. Instead, each of those players doubled up, leaving Hellmuth alone in 208th place, just outside of the money. 

“This hurts a little, though,” Hellmuth admitted to reporters after his elimination. “I’ve only played five tournaments since June and I almost won the other day.” He is referring to a deep run at the $50K PLO Championship. “I went to the bathroom about an hour ago and said Alex [Keating] is going to get in really bad against me and outdraw me. I said that to myself and I talked myself out of it,” he concluded.

Hellmuth’s pre-bubble play had already made headlines earlier in the day when he called off a significant portion of his chip stack with a queen-deuce offsuit, reminding viewers of his infamous 2022 hand against Alex Foxen at the US Poker Open (a tournament title he won in 2023). That decision left him short-stacked, which ultimately set the stage for his final hand. 

Despite his eventual elimination, Hellmuth’s run was a perfect example of the high-stakes drama that today defines poker’s biggest stages and tournaments. 

The tournament field is still full of some of the game’s biggest names all vying for the $6 million first-place prize. Gytis Lazauninkas bagged the overall chip lead on Day 2, finishing with 15,430,000 chips. Notable contenders still in the running include regular Juan Pardo (10,740,000), two-time bracelet winner Chris Klodnicki (9,450,000), and poker legends like Liv Boeree (8,275,000), David Peters (7,485,000), and Adrian Mateos (6,555,000). 

The WSOP Paradise Super Main Event has drawn significant attention, not just for its massive guarantee but also for its high level of competition. The tournament’s mix of live and online entries has expanded the reach of poker’s most prestigious brand, attracting players from across the globe. 

The stakes will only grow higher as the remaining 297 players (207 in-person and 90 online) who return for Day 3 will see money payouts escalate quickly. Players who survive the early rounds will be in line for life-changing paydays (even for the top poker players), with the top eight finishers guaranteed at least $1 million. The final table is set to culminate with one player claiming the $6 million grand prize, as well as going down in the poker history books. 

The WSOP’s decision to host the record-setting event in the Bahamas is an indication of the increasing globalization of poker. The tropical destination, associated with a luxury lifestyle, provides the perfect backdrop for one of the game’s most historic tournaments which attracted a mix of pros, rising stars, and online qualifiers. The event also shows the ongoing evolution of poker, with online platforms playing an increasingly significant role in its expansion. 

For poker legend Hellmuth, the disappointment of bubbling such a monumental event is likely to sting for quite some time. Phil is known for his fierce competitiveness, drive to win, and staying cool under pressure. His deep runs and slightly dramatic exits are always keeping poker fans on their toes, which is why he is one of poker’s most recognizable personalities. 

Although Hellmuth’s efforts to win an 18th bracelet will have to wait, the WSOP Paradise Super Main Event will roll on, with many players aiming for the record-breaking top prize. Poker fans are going to be watching closely to see who wins.