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Phil Hellmuth Makes Glam-Rock Entrance Five Hours Late at WSOP Main Event

His theatrical arrival has drawn both acclaim for showmanship and censure for delaying play during PokerGO’s live stream of his match tonight.

Phil Hellmuth 2025 WSOP
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How long will the wig stay on when the poker starts?
The band reunites at the 2025 WSOP.

Overview

  • Hellmuth arrived about five hours late for Day 1b at the Horseshoe in Las Vegas, leading his Highway to Hellmuth rock band and 17 models into the Main Event.
  • David “ODB” Baker and other pros branded the production “cringe” and “awkward,” while many fans praised its entertainment value.
  • Hellmuth defended hosting models as “just a fun spectacle,” highlighting his tradition of larger-than-life entrances at poker’s marquee tournament.
  • PokerGO will feature Hellmuth from the first hand when its live broadcast begins at 7 p.m. PDT on Thursday evening.
  • The stunt revives debate over balancing entertainment and competitive integrity in the grueling Main Event format that Hellmuth briefly threatened to boycott.