Update: Phil Hellmuth finished second behind Darren Rabinowitz.
The Horseshoe Ballroom in Las Vegas is nearly empty as the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) is nearly over, but it turned out to be one of the most exciting days of the summer for the all-time bracelet leader. Phil Hellmuth playing for his 18th bracelet.
The 17-time bracelet winner currently has six players and the chip lead in Event #99: $5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold’em, an event that featured 884 entries and a $4,066,400 prize pool. The winner will take home $695,256, but Hellmuth will receive a bracelet that will extend his lead on the all-time bracelet list history.
Read about Hellmuth’s entry into the WSOP
Will Hellmuth extend his bracelet lead?
All eyes were on Hellmuth as he was one of 77 players returning to the $5,000 buy-in event. He has outlived a number of celebrities, including Adam Hendrix, Cliff Josephy, Joseph CheongAnd Brian Rust.
According to Poker News reporters Frank Visser, Stuart Morrison and Tim Baker, Hellmuth entered the final table with a stack of 10,000,000 chips, giving him a chip lead over the big stacks. Nick Pupillo And Max Kingston.
Hellmuth’s advantage only increased with the elimination Josh Norvok, Connor Belcher And Max Kingstonand he used some of his signature “White Magics” along the way.
Just five players now stand between Hellmuth and his record 18th bracelet. His two opponents are Victor Lee And Joshua Stewart — looking for their first bracelets while Darren Rabinowitz, Nick Pupillo And Nicholas Palma everyone is looking for bracelet number two. Hellmuth and Nicky P had a falling out earlier in the episode, but things were amicable at the final table so far.
Phil Hellmuth
And despite the fact that the Horseshoe Ballroom is nearly empty and hundreds of tables are broken, there is a crowd of people waiting to see the 17-time bracelet winner make poker history.
The team includes Hellmut’s sons Philip III and Nicholas, both of whom followed in their father’s footsteps and played a full WSOP schedule this summer.
Despite his amazing Main Event performances, Hellmuth seems to thrive away from the spotlight. In 2023, he won his 17th bracelet late at night, with almost no spectators, when he posted Event #72: The $10,000 Super Turbo Bounty for $803,818.
The remaining six players are now on a 20-minute break. Although the event is not broadcast live, poker fans can follow the action in real time using Poker News live reporting team.
Follow Hellmuth’s 18th bracelet run
Connor Richards
Senior Editor USA