Phil Hellmuth Misses 2022 WSOP Opener After Bout of Traveler's Diarrhea

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May 31, 2022 3 min read

Phil Hellmuth shared some TMI on Twitter, informing his followers that a case of "traveler's diarrhea" has sidelined the 16-time bracelet winner from competing in 2022 WSOP Event #2: $100,000 High Roller Bounty.

The 53rd annual World Series of Poker (WSOP) kicked off Tuesday morning with the Casino Employees event followed by the start of the high roller. Many of the game's biggest stars have already taken a seat in hopes of winning the first bracelets of the year. Daniel Negreanu, Phil Ivey, and Erik Seidel were among the poker legends we've already seen at Paris Las Vegas.

Hellmuth in a Sticky Situation

We won't, however, catch a glimpse of Hellmuth in action at the WSOP's new venue for another day or so thanks to the results of a recent trip to Mexico.

Hellmuth, thankfully, didn't share details of his current condition. In case you're wondering exactly what traveler's diarrhea entails, we'll refer you to the definition from the Mayo Clinic's website: "Traveler's diarrhea is a digestive tract disorder that commonly causes loose stools and abdominal cramps. It's caused by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water."

Fortunately for the "Poker Brat," the condition isn't serious, and although we don't profess to have much in the way of medical expertise, Hellmuth will likely be ready to extend his bracelet record soon.

Poker Brat on the Cover of Cigar Magazine

Hellmuth's been a busy man lately as he prepares for the 2022 WSOP in pursuit of his 17th gold bracelet. He recently appeared on the cover of the long-running Cigar Aficionado, one of the most popular magazines for cigar enthusiasts.

Hellmuth, a cigar lover himself, was the featured interview in the June 2022 edition. He discusses with the author Michael Kaplan his bratty behavior, including the time he jokingly threatened to burn down the Rio while on tilt during the 2021 WSOP.

"I went too far in my rant," Hellmuth said in the interview. "I said to the table that I will get in trouble for saying this, it's a joke, but, 'I will burn this place down if I don't win.' I knew I was pushing the line. I didn't understand that the very first post, 30 seconds later, wouldn't say it was a joke. The post was put out to make me look bad, just for a headline."

The Hellmuth edition of Cigar Aficionado is available at bookstores including Barnes & Noble. PokerNews may also be giving away signed copies throughout the summer, so be sure to keep an eye on our various social media accounts for giveaway opportunities.

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