Regarding poker pro-Phil Hellmuth, Bryn Kenney holds some strong views. Kenney said something on a recent Digital Social Hour podcast broadcast that rocked the poker scene. Though Hellmuth has a record-setting performance in the World Series of Poker (WSOP), Kenney thinks he falls short among the best players overall.
With about $67 million in wins, Kenney boasts the record for live tournament profits. His viewpoint on Hellmuth set off a furious argument since Kenney freely questioned Hellmuth’s reputation among poker players.
Kenney Criticizes Hellmuth’s Game
Most people agree Phil Hellmuth is the best WSOP player of all time. More than anyone in past times, he has won 17 WSOP bracelets. With 11 bracelets, another poker master, Phil Ivey, is further behind. Few other players, including Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan, have hit double digits. Still, Kenney seems not too impressed.
Host Sean Kelly asked Kenney about Hellmuth’s poker position during the program. Hellmuth has been labeled the “Tournament G.O.A.T.,” Kelly pointed out, although he doesn’t participate in as many high-stakes events as Kenney.
Kenney agreed that Hellmuth had had a remarkable career, especially at the WSOP. But his compliments came to an end there. He turned fast to criticize Hellmuth’s performance in high roller events.
“He’s Not At The Highest Level,” States Kenney
Kenney claims that in high-stakes events Hellmuth does not face the top players. He maintained that one cannot be regarded as the best overall if one is not performing at the highest level. Although Hellmuth has been outstanding in the WSOP, Kenney hinted that Hellmuth suffers in smaller fields of great players.
Kenney said Hellmuth’s performance at the WSOP was like someone shining in minor league baseball. “You’re really good at defeating the amateurs if you’re playing against largely amateur athletes at the World Series. It’s like being the King of Triple A,” Kenney remarked, implying Hellmuth rules lower-level competition but cannot play in the major levels.
Hellmuth Reverses His Views
Known for his fiery nature, Hellmuth hardly kept silent for very long. Using social media, he answered Kenney’s remarks. Arguing that the WSOP is the actual “big leagues” of poker, he defended his legacy.
Hellmuth tweeted, “To me, the WSOP is the major leagues. Always had been and always will be. People lying about myself and my legacy aggravate me. Then he mentioned that he had won over $1.5 million in high roller events, which The Hendon Mob, a well-known poker statistics website, readily confirms.
Hellmuth also reminded Kenney that he previously proposed a $1.6 million heads-up poker match on High Stakes Duel, challenging the whole poker scene.
Hellmuth’s Heads-Up Poker Track Record
Hellmuth has notably improved in heads-up poker. Winning his first six encounters, he dominated High Stakes Duel for two years. He generated a $700,000 profit, beating poker pros Antonio Esfandiari and Daniel Negreanu.
Defeating sports commentator Nick Wright in the following round of High Stakes Duel III, he maintained his success. But his winning run came to an end when he squared Jason Koon in the $1.6 million round. With nine victories and two defeats total on the show, Hellmuth’s head-up poker ability is clearly evident.
Hellmuth has made success in the NBC Heads-Up Poker Championship, finishing second in 2013 and winning in 2005. Hellmuth has over $30 million in live tournament cash, notwithstanding Kenney’s criticism. Though it’s less than half of Kenney’s overall, many contend that playing superb poker involves more than just winning money.
The Discussion Never Ends.
Kenney’s remarks have sparked a long-running argument in the poker scene: Who actually is the best poker player of all time? Some contend that Hellmuth’s WSOP triumph confirms his reputation as the greatest. Others, like Kenney, hold that a player must excel in extreme conditions against top competition if they are to be regarded as the best.
One thing is definite: in their poker careers, Kenney and Hellmuth have both had great success. Their notions of excellence, nevertheless, seem to diverge. His WSOP record speaks for itself, Hellmuth. To Kenney, a player is really great when they challenge the best in high rollers.
Hellmuth Vs. Kenney: Different Routes To Greatness
While Kenney has concentrated on high roller tournaments with far smaller fields, Hellmuth has developed his career mostly on his performance at the WSOP. Though their routes to brilliance differ, both players have made their marks on poker history.
It’s obvious that both Kenney and Hellmuth will keep leaving their marks on the game as the poker world argues who actually qualifies as “greatest of all time.” Both Hellmuth with his record-breaking WSOP victories and Kenney with his unparalleled high-stakes earnings will be revered as icons in the poker scene.
