Poker Brat Phil Hellmuth has always been about winning big during his illustrious poker career, but no-one could accuse the 16-time WSOP champion of not giving back to the community. Hellmuth, who beat Tom Dwan last week for $400,000 in the PokerGO series High Stakes Duel is passionate about his charity work and gets another chance to raise money in February as he teams up with Steph Curry and the Warriors this Saturday, February 5th. We caught up with the Poker Brat to find out the details.
Hellmuth on the Mic
Phil Hellmuth won’t only be playing as one of the many celebrities to be found at the tables during the event. The Poker Brat will be ‘MC’ing’ the tournament, too!
“I have MC’ed every year, except one year,” he told us as he prepares to head to The St. Regis hotel near the Chase Center. That is, of course, home to the Golden State Warriors. “I donate my time and the room is crazy fun!”
Hellmuth isn’t just going to be giving his time for free; it’s part of his year-round reach to help charitable organizations and he genuinely loves the tournament.
“[It’s a] great event for the Warriors Foundation,” he says. “We make $2 million in one night for the foundation. I’m proud of Nicole Lacob for putting it all together.”
Hellmuth, who lives in the Bay Area of Frisco himself, has courtside seats for Golden State Warriors games and is friends with many of the players outside of their respective games, stars like Chamath Palihapitiya and Steph Curry, both of whom he rates highly at the game of poker.
What Will Players be Playing?
The charity poker tournament is a huge attraction to many in the area, especially those who love raising money for charity. With the Golden State Warriors players and coaches in attendance, anyone paying the $10,000 buy-in to take part will be guaranteed to be taking on at least one ‘Warrior’ at their table.
“All the players play, plus coaches, owners, and an amazing crew,” says Hellmuth, the 16-time WSOP bracelet winner. “It’s a $10,000 buy-in with unlimited rebuys and Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green rebuy using their own money.”
“All the players play, plus coaches, owners and an amazing crew,” says Hellmuth, the 16-time WSOP bracelet winner. “It’s a $10,000 buy-in with unlimited rebuys and Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green rebuy using their own money.”
As well as the main tournament, there will also be an ‘amateur’ event taking place, which costs just $5,000 to play. Booking rebuys couldn’t be easier and doing so beforehand earns special privileges, such as priority choice on a magnum of wine for rebuying in advance of the Main Tournament or Amateur Tournament.
The tournament kicks off at 6pm on the night, with the second strongest team in the Western Conference having an off-day ahead of the All-Star break.
Cocktails and Cards
As well as the two Main and Amateur events, there is a cocktail reception taking place an hour before cards go in the air at 5pm local time at The St. Regis in San Francisco. Anyone attending the event needs to be fully COVID-19 vaccinated (including a booster or third dose), as well as providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Attendees will be asked to wear masks inside the event too.
With all the money supporting the great work that the Warriors Community Foundation does, however much money is raised on the night will go far. The WCF is a non-profit organization that supports education and youth development to promote thriving students, schools, and communities and is something that Hellmuth is very passionate about helping.
To date, the Poker Brat has raised millions for charities across the world and has used his presence in poker to help countless numbers of people in the most desperate need. He may blow up at the felt sometimes, but as ever, Hellmuth proves that once the dealing is done, he’s a big softie who can’t help but help.
