WSOP Classic Moments – Phil Hellmuth Wins 1989 Main Event to Become Youngest Winner in History

All eyes were on Johnny Chan during the Main Event of the 1989 WSOP Main Event. Chan had won the prior two Main Event titles and was on his way to win an unprecedented third straight title. The final table of the Main Event included one future world champion in Noel Furlong and three-time bracelet winner Lyle Berman. Furlong busted out in 6th place and Berman in 5th.

The players that would give Chan his greatest challenge was a young Phil Hellmuth Jr. Hellmuth was a brash 24 year old that had the attitude to match his holdem prowess. In the end, it was Hellmuth that faced Chan heads-up for the title.

Hellmuth would take the advantage during heads-up play, holding about 60% of the chips goinig into the final hand. On that hand Hellmuth raised pre-flop to 35,000 and Chan re-raised to 165,000. Hellmuth then moved all-in and waited on a call from Chan. Chan made the call and showed As-7s. Hellmuth held pocket nines and they were off to the races. A flop of Kc-10h-Kd gave Chan extra outs. A queen on the turn left Chan with 9 outs to win the hand. A river 6s allowed Hellmuth’s nines to hold up and Phil Hellmuth was the 1989 WSOP Main Event Champion.

Phil Hellmuth was the youngest winner of the WSOP Main Event at 24 years of age. His record stood until 2008 when Peter Eastgate became the youngest player to win the Main Event. Since Hellmuth’s Main Event win, Hellmuth has won a total of 11 bracelets, which puts him first on the all-time bracelet lead.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.