While everybody has already heard numerous times of Phil Hellmuth’s remarkable tournament record and his 15 WSOP bracelets, not many experts have considered him to be one of the most successful cash games players. However, this week, Hellmuth claimed that he has won more than $11 million in cash games.
Phil Hellmuth – King of Tournaments and Cash Games?
Everything started with a tweet by Phil Hellmuth in which he claimed that he is one of the all-time greatest poker players.
You may not think I am the best player in the world today, but when it comes to all-time greats I earned a place in that conversation along w @TexDolly @philivey @ItsJohnnyChan Chip Reese
Hellmuth Looks Ahead to Heads-Up Duel Negreanu https://t.co/3gaxVNWsN2
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) March 11, 2021
Even though the Poker Brat admitted that he might not be the best player in the world, he considers his records to be GOAT status-worthy.
His upcoming heads up opponent Daniel Negreanu was one of the first persons to respond to Hellmuth’s claims:
The question is, do YOU think you are the best POKER player in the world today?
Better than all the high stakes pros in any and every format?
You have said “I am the best poker player in the world” do you believe that for real?
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) March 11, 2021
A Twitter user replied that Hellmuth was the best tournament player in history in terms of WSOP bracelets and Negreanu agreed that he holds the best WSOP record in the world.
But he highly doubts that Phil is the best tournament player in the world at the moment.
He has a claim that his Wsop record is the best in the world. He gets that credit.
That doesn’t equate to best currently. Is Jack Nicklaus the best golfer in the world today?
No, but is a legend and his record was extraordinary.
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) March 11, 2021
It didn’t take the Poker Brat to respond to his long-time friend Negreanu:
I give credit to the next generation of great players. I won at least $11 Million in cash Games, I’m WAY ahead in High Rollers (facts), I won tons of tourneys, and my @WSOP record speaks for itself. I am NOT saying I’m the best today, but I want a chance to compete for that title https://t.co/pDdy3H2bIE
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) March 12, 2021
That’s basically when things started getting a little more heated. Phil’s claim that he made more than $11 million in cash games sounds a little exaggerated.
Therefore, Negreanu quickly replied and expressed his doubts regarding Hellmuth’s status of being WAY ahead in high rollers.
Way ahead in high rollers? I’ll bet my money this is not true. You will say it is. I will say “OK let’s bet” and then you will say “I don’t want to bet.”
Stick to the truth Phil. No need to embellish on your record. Your record is good. Just not in HRs.
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) March 12, 2021
Daniel clearly stated that he has a lot of respect for Phil’s tournament record, but he doesn’t consider him to be a good high rollers player.
Negreanu does certainly have a point doubting the Poker Brat’s $11 million winnings in cash games. We have already discussed his cash game record previously, and it’s rather difficult to find actual proof for his claims.
Especially the fact that he basically has not been playing poker online in the past makes it even more difficult to track down his cash game success.
Therefore, you have to rely mostly on his appearances in cash games that have been televised. His most recent plays in the latest series of High Stakes Poker have also been not too impressive.
It’s certainly going to be an interesting match between Negreanu and Hellmuth even though the duel has been postponed, unfortunately.
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