Phil Hellmuth stated months in the past he would boycott the 2025 World Collection of Poker (WSOP) Most important Occasion. Many poker followers on social media, upon seeing video of his grand entrance on Thursday, are most likely wishing he’d caught to his unique plan. Others loved the act, nevertheless.
The “Poker Brat” historically arrives fashionably late for the $10,000 buy-in World Championship occasion he received in 1989. He confirmed up about 5 hours after play started on Day 1b, dressed like a Eighties hair band rockstar, full glam metallic coiffure and all.
Hellmuth’s had some memorable Most important Occasion entrances through the years — some have been hits, others criticized as “cringeworthy” by the poker neighborhood. The latter seems to be correct for the 2025 version based mostly on early reactions.
Did ‘Poker Brat’ Rock it Out?

Hellmuth, flanked by fashions, his son Phillip Hellmuth III, and Dan “Jungleman” Cates, on guitars, placed on a “Freeway to Hellmuth” manufacturing by means of the Horseshoe hallways after which into the Occasions Middle to his Most important Occasion seat on the function desk.
The 17-time bracelet winner rocked out to AC/DC’s iconic 1979 rock music, “Freeway to Hell,” the staple music from its namesake album. Hellmuth performed the function of lead singer, nevertheless it does not seem that David “ODB” Baker thought he resembled the late Bon Scott all too effectively.
Baker tweeted that Hellmuth “finds a approach to be worse yearly” along with his Most important Occasion entrances. He referred to as the manufacturing “terrible” and “cringe,” a sentiment echoed by many others on poker X.
One X consumer referred to the doorway as “embarrassing as typical,” however did give the Poker Corridor of Famer credit score for “committing to the bit.” One other commenter referred to as it “extremely silly and narcissistic.” However, find it irresistible or hate it, the “Poker Brat’s” entrances convey extra eyeballs to the WSOP Most important Occasion annually.

Hellmuth initially deliberate to boycott the match on account of its grueling construction. The 60-year-old modified his thoughts in Might when he introduced he’d play an occasion he hasn’t missed for the reason that late Eighties. The Most important Occasion with out Phil Hellmuth, whether or not you get pleasure from his grand entrance bits or not, could be like having a 4th of July with out fireworks.
Comply with Day 1b Dwell Protection of the 2025 WSOP Most important Occasion













