Wait, What? … Hellmuth Starts Hand with 26 BB But Calls Off Preflop Holding Queen-Deuce
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, albeit with queen-four in the 2022 US Poker Open, 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.
Follow live updates from the 2024 WSOP Paradise $25,000 Super Main Event here!
In this Series
- 1 $50m GTD Super Main Event Headlines the Return of WSOP Paradise
- 2 WSOP Paradise Schedule in December Includes $50M GTD Super Main Event
- 3 WSOP Issues Major Rule Change to Electronic Device Use Ahead of Paradise Series
- 4 Who Are Negreanu’s and Ivey’s Triton Million Partners at WSOP Paradise?
- 5 How Did That Happen? Player Busts First Hand of WSOP Paradise $500K Buy-In Triton Million
- 6 Deeb Playing His Biggest Buy-In Ever: “Hopefully It Goes Well and I Don't Lose Too Much”
- 7 Daniel Negreanu Poker Vlogs Return for WSOP Paradise; Captures First Bustout
- 8 "Perfect Match for Me": Jason Koon Sports PokerStars Patch at First Event Since Becoming Ambassador
- 9 WSOP Paradise: Guess What Longtime Poker Pro Just Flopped a Royal Flush for First Time
- 10 Triton Million Hands of the Week: Ivey Loses $1,000,000; Brutal Bubble Bustout for Ryan Feldman
- 11 Health > Wealth: Texas Mike Questions Stamina After “4-Bet Jam Nuclear Punt” in $100K
- 12 Daniel Negreanu Finishes 1st in WSOP Paradise Flight While Lying in Bed
- 13 Jamie Gold at WSOP Paradise: “Excited About the Future of Poker, About My Future in Poker”
- 14 Wait, What? … Hellmuth Starts Hand with 26 BB But Calls Off Preflop Holding Queen-Deuce
