Doyle Brunson stated in a tweet yesterday, "I just saw Phil Helmuth has cashed 154 times at the WSOP so he has probably entered 200 tournaments. He is the best NLH tournament player in the world, in my opinion."

So, is Doyle Brunson right? What do you think?

Doyle Brunson Says Phil Hellmuth is the Greatest No-Limit Hold’em Player in the World

Hellmuth is the best poker player in the world , haters will only do what they know to do , just hate . Hellmuth is the best , either some like it or not .

His bracelets prove it, I guess.

Doyle's figures seem a little off.

From the WSOP website - Helmuth has cashed 135 times at the WSOP and then another thirty times between online, WSOP Europe and other circuit events. If WSOP bracelets are the ultimate metric for some - so be it. Not necessarily for me.

It's the tourneys entered where Doyle seems to be a little off- 'so he has probably entered 200 tournaments"

Helmuth first cashes in 1988 and then won in 1989. That's at least 32 years of playing the WSOP - which means by Doyle's estimate he has only entered 6.25 WSOP tournaments a year.

That said, Brunson is a bit of a wag, and as I noted regarding the back and forth over his comments regarding heads up ( I still like the old way of playing poker...#cutthe cheatsheets) - I think his sense of humor can be a little trollish at times.

There are many reasons that I think he is one of the better players at the game. First, the results he has had goes beyond the WSOP. His bracelets are pretty impressive, especially as they include the Main Event. His amount of final tables is also pretty impressive. Then there is the fact that he has an impressive run with the World Poker Tour. He has won at the National Heads Up Championship. He has won at an EPT event. He knows multiple styles of poker in a way that is a threat whenever he sits down.

Now, he is the Brat, there is no mistaking that. At the same time, he is actually a really nice guy off the felt and can be such while playing. He may have changed, but I have had a conversation with him in the 90s and enjoyed it. It was just a bunch of folks eating somewhere before a tournament and someone who knew him called him over. He has become an ambassador to our beloved game and people love him.

So, while I personally would never say he is better than Doyle Brunson, I would say he is better than a long list of folks who are nowhere near the personality he is. There are even people who want to get him going off on them, just because he is legendary in that.

Originally Posted by Shells

Doyle Brunson stated in a tweet yesterday, "I just saw Phil Helmuth has cashed 154 times at the WSOP so he has probably entered 200 tournaments. He is the best NLH tournament player in the world, in my opinion."

So, is Doyle Brunson right? What do you think?

Doyle Brunson Says Phil Hellmuth is the Greatest No-Limit Hold’em Player in the World

It wouldn't shock me if he's missing a '0' on the end of that 200.

Originally Posted by Shells

Doyle Brunson stated in a tweet yesterday, "I just saw Phil Helmuth has cashed 154 times at the WSOP so he has probably entered 200 tournaments. He is the best NLH tournament player in the world, in my opinion."

So, is Doyle Brunson right? What do you think?

Doyle Brunson Says Phil Hellmuth is the Greatest No-Limit Hold’em Player in the World

And I agree. But who can disagree with the greatest poker legend alive?

Without a doubt he is a great player and despite not being among my "favorites" I like his eccentricity

Best in the world at this time? Maybe, maybe not. Greatest WSOP NLHE tournament player, probably. If the WSOP results are the standard then Doyle is assuming that all the best players play the WSOP. Not sure that is still the case.

Originally Posted by lcid86

Best in the world at this time? Maybe, maybe not. Greatest WSOP NLHE tournament player, probably. If the WSOP results are the standard then Doyle is assuming that all the best players play the WSOP. Not sure that is still the case.

Mike Sexton was an amazing player and recognized as such by players worldwide. He spent the time period of many WSOP events coaching kids in sports. Brunson knows this and I know the two had a good relationship of respect on and off the felt.

tourneys yes
cash games...definitely not

He's the best NL Hold'em tournament player for sure. Not sure he has that tag in other games instead of NL Holdem or in cash games. So is he the best over all player? I don't think so. Who is? I have no idea...

For the most part I do agree with Doyle brunson that Phil helmuth is the greatest no limit Holden player. But close on his heels is Phil Ivey who is no slouch at winning no limit hold them tournaments he has a very outstanding record and no limit hold them as well. it's very hard to put one person clearly above everyone else I think hellmuth deserves to be on top but there's a lot of people there just as good and as talented as he is if not better than Phil hellmuth so it's close I give the edge slightly to Phil hellmuth but not by a lot.

Phil H. is incredible!!

perhaps he is one of the best, but who is the best should be determined by real experts.

Originally Posted by Shells

Doyle Brunson stated in a tweet yesterday, "I just saw Phil Helmuth has cashed 154 times at the WSOP so he has probably entered 200 tournaments. He is the best NLH tournament player in the world, in my opinion."

So, is Doyle Brunson right? What do you think?

Doyle Brunson Says Phil Hellmuth is the Greatest No-Limit Hold’em Player in the World

If you’re just counting bracelets he is tops but he isn’t even top 20 all time money earned
https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/ran...me-money-list/

Originally Posted by Ron112355

If you’re just counting bracelets he is tops but he isn’t even top 20 all time money earned
https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/ranking/all-time-money-list/

Yeah. My guess is Doyle was basing his thoughts mostly on the WSOP bracelets? (even though Phil has won other events other than NLHE)

Welllll he is famous and has a lot of good plays on youtube

What I like the most about Phil Hellmuth is that he consider worst case scenario every time, he is a great player, and I like watching him when tony g abuse him, haha

Phil is definitely one of the best, he's been consistently thriving in the poker community for 30+ years, having Doyle say that is quite the endorsement!

No matter how emotional Phil Hellmuth was, but the fact that he is a strong player is undeniable.

agree Phil is the best, his bracelets proves it

I totally agree . He has a non non sens approch to playing tournament. Unlike Ivey or Neagranu who in my opinion, one like to make insane bluffs and the other like to impress by his reading abilities. Dont get me wrong, both Ivey and Neagranu are excellent players but my money will always be on helmuth

I do like Phil, I consider him a great player, his career is very long, and of course the awards of 10 years ago are minimal compared to the awards today. That is why he does not appear as the highest money winner on the "All Time Money" list.
If Doyle Brunson admits it, why don't we?

He was the best once upon a time, but now other very good and very talented young guys came from behind.

The number of WSOP bracelets proves he is, BUT WSOP is not the only worldwide tournament there is, and not the best playinrs play it as much as he does. There are other equaly or larger tournaments worldwide, but that does not diminish his conquers.
Plus, for someone to tilt as much as he does, at a scale he does, and go back playing 2 minutes later, that is certainly an achievement. Most players tilt less (emotionaly wise) and take way longer to put themselves together.

That being said, Helmuth may be the best in results, but is far from the most proficient cash wise and earnings wise.

I think he was unlucky so many times at crucial moments, so for me is one of the best...but not the best!!! Tom "DURR" Dwan is from another planet

If Doyle Brunson says 'Yes', then I doubt that anyone will be able to challenge these words.

I dont think so I think Daniel Negreanu is better

He is the best folder I believe, which in turn makes him at the very least one of the best. I have seen him lay down some killer hands, he just seems to know when the suck out comes. lol
I have also watched Negraneu state what he is sure his opponent has and calls anyway. Usually when he has a lot of chips though, making sure he is right?
I have to get back to not needing to know....and folding when I am sure I am beat at the river.

Originally Posted by Roger1960

He is the best folder I believe, which in turn makes him at the very least one of the best. I have seen him lay down some killer hands, he just seems to know when the suck out comes. lol
I have also watched Negraneu state what he is sure his opponent has and calls anyway. Usually when he has a lot of chips though, making sure he is right?
I have to get back to not needing to know....and folding when I am sure I am beat at the river.

Totally right bro

Not a chance. He's one of the most successful tournament players but as far as best nl holdem player I doubt he's even in the top 5. He's better than Ivey? No. Tom Dwan? No. Fedor Holz? No. etc. etc. etc. Too many to list so I will stop there.

I don't think he is. Negreanu in general when I watch his broadcast he always manages to pocket large sums

Yes he is the brat. However, does anyone else have the resume that Helmuth has? He has the best poker life that any of us could ever wish for. He has become one of the great personalities in poker. He has lasted and won in poker since he started in the ‘80’s!!! That is at least one of the dreams of any hard working poker player!! So is he the best? Would you put your money on Helmuth against say...anyone?? If you would answer that last one a definitive yes then that is YOUR answer. My opinion? Well, let’s see. In my mind I would have to say that Phil Helmuth would have to be the absolute best there is...currently! Remember records are made to be broken!

Stay Safe

Z

Originally Posted by Shells

Doyle Brunson stated in a tweet yesterday, "I just saw Phil Helmuth has cashed 154 times at the WSOP so he has probably entered 200 tournaments. He is the best NLH tournament player in the world, in my opinion."

So, is Doyle Brunson right? What do you think?

Doyle Brunson Says Phil Hellmuth is the Greatest No-Limit Hold’em Player in the World

Hellmuth one of the top players in the world, he has done a lot for poker.

Pretty hard to argue with his record

If Brunson says so.

Hahahaha 😂😂😂😂...made my day..now 👌

Poker is probably the hardest game in the world to say this person is the best,a lot of who is the best at the level these guys play at is who is catching flops and running well ,their all at a level most of just dream of,because their isn't one player in the world who is a lock in any game

I think so! Incredible Phil Hellmuth

In the cache, it is one of the best ,but clearly not the best

I think he is really good, but I dont think he is the best anymore. He doesnt win players of the year, and he isnt the top money earner.

Surely it should be based on total profit value and will we ever know what that would be?

I certainly think Hellmuth is one of the best. He has had a lot of success in the WSOP playing Texas Hold-em Tournaments.

I can't say he is the best simply on cashes and and bracelets. I would love to see the stats of players who played freezeout type tournaments and the percentage of times they cashed and the average percentage of the field they placed in. What percentage of those did you cash? What percentage of the time were you in the top 5% of the field?, 10%?, 20%?

Originally Posted by Ron112355

If you’re just counting bracelets he is tops but he isn’t even top 20 all time money earned

How much money someone has earned is a factor, but when we talk about who's the GOAT, I believe that consistency in a very long period of time is more important.

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If Phil Hellmuth is not the best NLHE player, he is at least one of the best.

I think that the fact that videos about his bad temper, when he gets bad beats, are all over the internet, is the reason that many people cannot recognize his worth as a really good player.

Also, most of those videos are from the far past. It looks like that the guy has made a lot of progress in his anger management.

Total $ won matters not a whit toward who is the best. Football & baseball Hall of Fame members used to work regular jobs in the off season to support their families. Big bucks mostly means you competed recently.
Bracelets aren't the only thing that matters but Shirley they are the most important.

Its all bout the dollar value in my world but if mr. B. says he is I believe him. I think he is in the top elite along with the best. Im prob the worst..lol..Good luck.

I don’t think you can go on money earned
There is more money earned now than when Phil was dominating
I mean Gareth’s bale has far out earned Pele but is he a better player?
I think not��

His success proves YES! Unfortunately the internet is full of his tilt moments and funny stuff, but you can't find much on how to see how he plays when he wins.

Originally Posted by Kenzie 96

Total $ won matters not a whit toward who is the best. Football & baseball Hall of Fame members used to work regular jobs in the off season to support their families. Big bucks mostly means you competed recently.
Bracelets aren't the only thing that matters but Shirley they are the most important.

Who's Shirley??