Phil Hellmuth Struggles While Negreanu Dominates – Will He Recover in Time?

Phil Hellmuth, one of the most iconic figures in poker history, is having a rough time at the 2025 World Series of Poker. With over a third of the schedule already in the books, the 17-time bracelet winner has yet to make a significant mark. So far, he’s recorded only four small cashes and hasn’t reached a single final table.

His best performance came in the $10,000 Dealers Choice 6-Handed Championship, where he finished 15th and pocketed $22,088 — barely covering two entries. Despite this slow start, Hellmuth hasn’t lost focus. Instead of venting frustration, he took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a motivational video, telling himself to “play great poker every day” and let the results follow naturally.

Known for his emotional outbursts, Hellmuth surprised many by publicly embracing a more reflective mindset. In his video message, he mocked his own complaints, reminding himself to stay grounded, appreciate the journey, and focus on consistency. “It’s not about results,” he said, “it’s about method.”

This shift in attitude could be critical as the series progresses. With more than 50 events still on the schedule, including the Main Event, there’s plenty of time to rebound — and Hellmuth has a history of strong finishes late in the series.

For the first time, the WSOP also features Philip Hellmuth III. The younger Hellmuth competed in the $800 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack, where he finished 51st for a $7,149 payout. It wasn’t a breakout moment, but it marked the beginning of a new generation at the WSOP tables.

Father and son still have ground to cover if they want to match the current pace set by the top performers — especially longtime rival Daniel Negreanu, who has already made two final tables and cashed for more than $300,000, including a second-place finish in Event #9.

While the spotlight has been dim on Hellmuth so far, history shows he’s never out until the final hand is dealt. Back in 2018, he turned a slow series into a victory late by winning a $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em event. With the $10,000 Main Event and dozens of other opportunities still on the horizon, the Poker Brat has time to flip the script.

Whether 2025 becomes another chapter in Hellmuth’s storied legacy — or a year to forget — will depend on how he handles the grind ahead. But one thing is certain: he’s not giving up.