Making History

They laughed at me back in the day when I told everyone, "I'm playing for history, not for money. My big goal in life is to win more big-time poker tournaments than anyone else in history."



"Miami" John Cernuto told me recently, "Phil, we were all playing for the money, and we thought you were nuts back then. I mean, c'mon, playing for history?!"



Of course, Miami John and my other peers still think I'm nuts, although perhaps not for playing for World Series of Poker (WSOP) history. And, no doubt, they still laugh at me, and I laugh at myself when I'm watching this "Phil Hellmuth character" (he embarrasses me!) throw an immature tirade or tantrum of some sort on ESPN or wherever.



Now, it seems that all of the top poker players are saying on ESPN that they're playing for history, not money, or are giving their WSOP bracelets away to members of their families (which is my thing). So, if I was nuts, I certainly helped spread that craziness throughout the poker world. And to me, this is a good thing. WSOP history should be celebrated, just as it is on the PGA Tour, where Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, and Phil Mickelson are revered. In poker, we have Doyle Brunson, Johnny Moss, "Amarillo Slim," Johnny Chan, Chip Reese, and now, young Phil Ivey.



I'm trying hard to win more WSOP bracelets than anyone else (I have nine), but the chase is on, and I'm being pressed by both the old guard (10 each for Chan and Brunson) and the current crowd (seven for Erik Seidel and six for Men Nguyen), not to mention the young guns (Ivey has five already!). I'm also trying to win the title of most cashes in WSOP history. Men "The Master" Nguyen, Berry Johnston, T.J. Cloutier, and I are within about one or two of each other. One more goal is to reach the most WSOP final tables, and I'm close with about 35, but Cloutier has 39 or so. I tied the WSOP record for most bracelets when Chan, Brunson, and I had nine apiece in 2003 and 2004, but then those two won their 10th in 2005.



Another goal – to be number one on the all-time WSOP money list – was in my pocket in 2001 and 2002. In an exciting and tight five-year race between Chan, Cloutier, and me, with swings back and forth among us, this goal became a tough one for all of us to achieve when prize money payouts exploded (the three of us are all under $4 million). Chris Moneymaker took the lead in one tournament, the 2003 championship event. Then, Greg Raymer held the lead after winning the 2004 championship event. And now, reigning World Champion Joseph Hachem has the lead after winning $7.5 million in the 2005 main event. If you take a look at the WSOP money list without 2003-2005 main-event cashes, Chan is number one, followed very closely by Cloutier (see the "All-Time World Series of Poker Money Board" in this issue).



One thing is certain, this is the right time to make history in the WSOP, and ESPN sure keeps the making of history at the WSOP an important and well-documented goal for everyone. Although I have the honor of owning more WSOP bracelets in Texas hold'em than anyone else (nine), I would like a non-hold'em bracelet, as well, and I have been oh so close many times in other games. Along with all of the other top players, I would love to add the $50,000 buy-in H.O.R.S.E. bracelet to my resume. (That's hold'em, Omaha eight-or-better, razz [seven-card stud low], seven-card stud, and seven-card stud eight-or-better.) The H.O.R.S.E. event is very prestigious, and winning it will take some serious all-around playing skills.



I have always wanted to win the no-limit deuce-to-seven bracelet, and in 1993, I had Billy Baxter all in and drawing (I had a pat 10 low) for the title. If he missed, I had the title; if he hit, we would play on. Billy hit a 9 and went on to beat me. I also have finished fourth and sixth in that tournament. An Omaha eight-or-better bracelet also would be nice, and in 2002, I had Scotty Nguyen down to $40,000 in chips, versus my $500,000. I remember vividly that they changed dealers right then, and Scotty mounted a huge comeback. I was close, so very, very close.



Of course, winning the main event is the ultimate goal, and I refuse to let the pundits tell me I cannot win it. I can win it. I'm not saying that I will win it this year, just that I can. I don't care if 50,000 players buy in; I can win it. (Heck, I even have Camp Hellmuth III scheduled in Vegas at Caesars Palace, starting Aug. 11, and the main event ends on Aug. 10.) By the way, if I don't make the final six in the main event, I will do the live commentary at CardPlayer.com on the night of Aug. 10. (It will be a late one.) And, the title this year will also carry with it, "Number one on the all-time WSOP money list!" What the heck, I have to be in Vegas anyway, so I might as well go ahead and win the 2006 World Series of Poker. What's that? You say that's your plan, as well? Bring your best game, and I'll see you on the battlefield!