Phil Hellmuth has a reputation for being on the tighter side of things, but that wasn’t the case in the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Paradise $25,000 Super Main Event when he called off preflop with queen-deuce after starting the hand with 26 big blinds.

The hand took place on Day 2 in Level 12 (15,000/30,000/30,000), which is when reporter Adam Lamers saw Corey Kempson open to 75,000 on the button and Samuel Chartier called from the small blind.

Phil Hellmuth three-bet to 350,000 from the big blind and Kempson four-bet shoved all in. Chartier quickly folded and Hellmuth used a time bank before sticking in an additional 450,000 chips.

Phil Hellmuth: Q*♣2♥Corey Kempson: J♠J♥*

Hellmuth must have had some type of feeling as we have all seen this play before against Alex Foxen.

The J*♣10♠9♣* flop gave Kempson top set, but Hellmuth did pick up an open-ended straight draw. Unfortunately for the “Poker Brat,” neither the 5*♠* turn nor 4*♦* river was the “White Magic” the 17-time bracelet winner needed and he was eliminated from the tournament.

All that said, Hellmuth’s call came while the late registration period was still open and he did opt to jump back into action.

PR & Media Manager for PokerNews, Podcast host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.

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