Phil Hellmuth will match a $500K buy-in in a heads-up match to show his skills
Phil Hellmuth, better known in the poker world as the “Poker Brat,” has thrown down a challenge aimed at critics who doubt his ability in cash games. Frustrated by ongoing claims that his game doesn’t measure up in today’s high-stakes environment, the 61-year-old Hall of Famer has offered to back his reputation with a hefty wager.
Talk is cheap
If someone actually believes that I am a losing player in cash games (I have won over $3M since 2014 in cash games and have tax records to prove it), then will they put their money where their mouth is?
My critic and I will post $500,000 each, and that critic can…
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) September 13, 2025
Hellmuth posted on X that he is willing to put up $500,000 against any critic, creating a $1 million pot to settle the debate. He insists his record proves he remains profitable, pointing to what he says is $3 million in cash game winnings since 2014, supported by his tax records. He also highlighted his success in televised games, where he claims to have won 23 of 24 sessions between 2013 and 2019.
The offer comes after poker commentator and coach Marc Goone publicly criticized Hellmuth’s play, suggesting that his style looks timid and filled with leaks when compared to the modern, mathematically driven approach favored by younger professionals. Hellmuth pushed back by emphasizing his track record, including recent success in his “Hellmuth’s Home Game” series, where he reported being up $110,000 after just six sessions at $25/$50 stakes.
Some players have already expressed interest in taking him up on the bet. Brian Okin, who runs a private game featured on Venetian Poker Live, said he would make an exception to allow Hellmuth to participate. Another possible challenger, Ossi “Monarch” Ketola, who recently suffered a massive heads-up loss to Dan “Jungleman” Cates, also indicated he would face the 17-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner.
While few question Hellmuth’s dominance in tournaments—where he has more WSOP titles than any other player—his cash game legacy has long been disputed. This new challenge could give him the stage to silence critics and show whether his trademark “White Magic” still works against today’s toughest competition.
