Phil Hellmuth’s hopeful run at the $10,000 buy-in No-limit Hold’em World Championship abruptly came to a close on Day 3 at Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas. The 17-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) champion endured a heart-wrenching elimination after entering the day with a solid chip stack.
Facing off against Michael Zulker, Hellmuth went all-in with ace-king, holding a competitive position against Zulker’s pocket queens and Leon Sturm’s pocket eights. The action intensified when Zulker decided to call Hellmuth’s all-in move, navigating the tension of the table.
The flop brought nothing to shift the balance, but a king on the turn gave Hellmuth a temporary lead with a pair. However, in a dramatic turn of events, the river revealed the final queen in the deck, resulting in Zulker securing three-of-a-kind, ultimately leaving Hellmuth without chips and ending his hopes for a victory in the iconic tournament.
This notable exit marks Hellmuth’s tenth year without a cash in the Main Event, a disappointing statistic for a player of his caliber. Despite this setback, Hellmuth’s legacy in the poker world remains significant, having been a consistent presence and a prior champion in the series.
For fans and critics alike, this recent elimination adds to the narrative of his storied career, showcasing both the high stakes and formidable challenges of competitive poker. The poker community remains hopeful for Hellmuth’s return next year, as he continues to inspire with his storied career and dedication to the game.