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HISTORY: Will Phil Hellmuth’s Bracelet Record Ever Be Broken?
2026-08-20 - RICHARD Fabien
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With longevity, an ever-growing number of events, and a new generation of bracelet hunters, LivePoker wondered whether one of the most iconic records in poker history is truly destined to stand forever.

The all-time WSOP bracelet leader with 17 titles, Phil Hellmuth holds a comfortable lead over his closest challengers, who are stuck on eleven or ten victories. So much so that it is difficult today to imagine the “Poker Brat” ever being stripped of his precious record. Yet a new generation of bracelet hunters could eventually shake things up.

Can Hellmuth reach 20 bracelets?

 

 

All the more so because the king of the WSOP continues to add to his collection at a pace of roughly one bracelet every two or three years. That consistency could allow him, sooner rather than later, to move closer to the symbolic milestone of 20 bracelets.

And the higher the total climbs, the harder it becomes to imagine anyone ever managing to rival him.

Most of the players directly behind Hellmuth in the all-time standings have either largely stepped away from the game or significantly reduced their volume. Among them, Erik Seidel remains one of the most active on the circuit and at the WSOP, but he is even older than the Poker Brat. The veteran remains extraordinarily talented, but imagining him adding seven more bracelets to his résumé seems particularly ambitious.

As for Phil Ivey, long considered Hellmuth’s natural rival and theoretically his most dangerous challenger, he now only makes occasional appearances at the Horseshoe.

Phil Hellmuth’s current total — and even more so the number he could reach over the coming years — therefore seems almost untouchable.

Deeb, Glaser, Mizrachi: the new threat?

 

 

On closer inspection, however, a new category of challengers could emerge to threaten the American icon.

Ultra-specialists in mixed games, capable of excelling across numerous formats and regularly adding a bracelet — sometimes two — to their collections, have established themselves among the leading record chasers.

Names such as Shaun Deeb, Benny Glaser and Michael Mizrachi immediately come to mind.

With eight bracelets each and still many years ahead of them, they could eventually close the gap on Hellmuth. Shaun Deeb in particular has clearly stated his intention to play the entire WSOP schedule, including Europe and Paradise, and he is certainly not known for merely making up the numbers.

Another category of contenders should not be overlooked either: the elite players who systematically compete in the World Series High Rollers.

Their profile shares some similarities with that of mixed-game specialists: extraordinarily talented players competing in smaller, but extremely tough fields, giving them repeated opportunities to add new bracelets to their résumés.

So, is Phil Hellmuth’s record truly untouchable?

To try to get a clearer picture, LivePoker spoke with two particularly well-placed observers: Romain Lewis, who knows exactly what it means to win a WSOP bracelet, and Benjamin Gallen, a journalist who has been covering the World Series for nearly twenty years.

Romain Lewis: “A very difficult record to break…”

A professional player, former Winamax Team Pro and WSOP bracelet winner, Romain Lewis believes Hellmuth’s record remains exceptional, but not necessarily beyond reach.

Hello Romain. First of all, do you plan to continue playing on the circuit and compete at the 2026 WSOP?

Yes, of course! As for the WSOP, I’ll be arriving shortly after mid-June. (Interview conducted on June 11, Editor’s Note.)

Regarding Phil Hellmuth, do you think he can still improve his record? And how high do you think he can go?

It seems obvious to me that he can increase it. He still plays a lot of events. And even if his bracelets become increasingly rare, I can definitely see him winning another one or two. At least!

Do you think this record can ever be broken? And if so, by whom?

It seems very difficult to beat, but not impossible for someone who plays all the $50K-and-up tournaments. In my opinion, the favorite to potentially surpass Hellmuth would be Shaun Deeb. At 40 years old, he has eight bracelets. Hellmuth has 17 at 61, which gives Deeb 21 years to win ten more. Difficult, but achievable…

And how do professionals like you, who know how difficult it is to win a bracelet, view Hellmuth’s total?

I think we all know that he was way above the average level of the field at the time, often in smaller fields, but his strength is that he never slowed down. His total is truly exceptional!

 

Benjamin Gallen: “There are several players who could eventually succeed him”

A journalist and longtime WSOP observer, Benjamin Gallen also believes Hellmuth can still improve his record. However, several players, in his view, have the profile required to chase him down.

Do you think Phil Hellmuth can still improve his record of 17 bracelets?

Yes, without hesitation. Doyle Brunson won his final bracelet at 72. Hellmuth is 62, which gives him at least another ten years to increase his total. And, like Doyle Brunson, he could continue playing for many more years beyond that. Especially since he no longer plays only No Limit Hold’em, but also competes in many mixed-game formats.

Do you see any current player capable of matching him and perhaps even overtaking him?

Over the long term, yes. And there are several players who could realistically do it. Adrian Mateos, of course, but also Benny Glaser, Brian Rast, Nick Schulman, Scott Seiver, Brian Hastings and Jeff Madsen: skilled players who compete in a large number of tournaments.

And if it does happen, do you think it would be more likely to come from a mixed-game specialist or an elite player competing in the High Rollers?

It’s difficult to say, especially now that there are also online bracelets, not to mention WSOP Europe in Prague and WSOP Paradise. There are therefore plenty of opportunities to win bracelets.

(Photo credit: PokerNews)

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