Nearly 37 years have passed since a young Phil Hellmuth burst onto the poker scene by winning the 1989 WSOP Main Event. Many of the opponents he faces today weren’t even alive when he captured the first of what would become 17 WSOP bracelets, a record that still stands.
Although Hellmuth has occasionally floated the idea of slowing down—at one point even suggesting he might skip the 2025 WSOP Main Event before reversing course—the present version of the Poker Brat looks anything but retired. In fact, he’s preparing for a heavy poker schedule in 2026.
While Hellmuth’s legacy is firmly rooted in tournament poker, his focus now appears to be shifting toward the cash-game streets. And there may be no bigger stage for that return than The Million Dollar Game on Hustler Casino Live, one of the most watched cash-game productions in the world.
Hellmuth recently confirmed his intention to sit in the game, revealing in an interview that he has earmarked $1.5 million for cash-game buy-ins this year.
“If the blinds are $500/$1,000, that’s a thousand big blinds,” Hellmuth explained. “I’ve lost a thousand big blinds in a session before, but it’s rare. A million dollars the way I play poker is very different from how other people play.”
Pushing Back Against Cash-Game Doubters
Few players in poker command attention like Phil Hellmuth, and his appearance in the Million Dollar Game would likely bring an even broader audience than usual. It could also lure other high-profile players, whether eager for the spotlight or looking to test themselves against the most decorated tournament player in history.
That said, Hellmuth’s cash-game credentials have long been questioned. Critics argue that his dominance in tournaments hasn’t always translated to elite-level cash games—an assessment Hellmuth is more than happy to dispute.
“Let’s be honest,” Hellmuth said. “I’ve made at least $10 million playing cash games. And yet some people still think I’m terrible at them.”
Now Officially Calling Vegas Home
Never one to downplay success, Hellmuth also recently disclosed a major financial boost from the $4.1 billion sale of PrizePicks, the daily fantasy sports company in which he held an investment stake.
That windfall may help explain his recent spending spree. Alongside setting aside a sizable cash-game bankroll, Hellmuth has announced an investment in Under Armour, the brand he’s frequently seen wearing, and has added a significant new piece of Las Vegas real estate to his portfolio.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Hellmuth purchased a $2.8 million, four-bedroom condominium in the upscale Park Towers complex near Paradise Road and East Flamingo. The property was previously owned by the late Elaine Wynn, co-founder of Wynn Resorts.
Hellmuth confirmed that he and his wife officially relocated to Las Vegas in December.
“Vegas has been very, very good to me,” he said. “I love it here.”
With the Poker Brat now firmly planted in Sin City—and openly planning to battle in the biggest cash games around—it looks like Hellmuth isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
