Hellmuth and Deeb split over WSOP POY controversy
The World Series of Poker’s (WSOP) 바카라er of the Year (POY) title is one of the game’s most prestigious honours. But this year, the official crowning of Shaun Deeb as 2025 WSOP 바카라er of the Year has sparked an unusually heated debate among some of poker’s most recognisable figures, with 17-time world champion Phil Hellmuth calling for a fundamental overhaul of the POY scoring system.
Hellmuth: “The formula is flawed”
Phil Hellmuth, the most decorated WSOP player in history, took to social media to voice his displeasure with how this year’s POY was decided. In a tweet posted days after the series concluded, Hellmuth began by clarifying his intentions.
“This not a rebuke of WSOP: the 2025 WSOP was fantastic! Well done Staff, Floor People and Dealers!” he wrote. “This is not a rebuke of Shaun Deeb: he had a great year, and won the POY fair-and-square by the rules posted.”
But the praise quickly gave way to critique: “This a rebuke of WSOP POY Formula… The formula is flawed!”
Hellmuth argued that the scoring system undervalues the achievement of winning WSOP bracelets (the gold-standard symbols of tournament victories) and overemphasises consistency and volume of cashes.
“Normally, I would have been behind Benny Glaser winning POY: winners win! And he won THREE WSOP Bracelets! But, Michael Mizrachi did even better! He won the two most prestigious WSOP tourneys: The Main Event and the ‘Poker 바카라ers Championship.'”
In a video accompanying the tweet, Hellmuth doubled down: “Someone won three bracelets, someone won the two biggest tournaments of the year. What are we doing? Second place, second place, third place. That’s bullsh*t. We’re champions. 바카라er of the Year should be about champions.”
Deeb responds: “I earned it”
Shaun Deeb, the eventual 2025 POY winner, issued a pointed rebuttal.
“I’ve stayed quiet through most of the 바카라er of the Year chatter — but after Phil Hellmuth’s video, it’s time to respond,” Deeb tweeted. “There’s been too much misinformation floating around, so let’s set the record straight.”
Deeb was clear about one particular allegation: “First off: I had zero involvement in the WSOP changing the POY formula. The shift from counting unlimited cashes to capping at 10 wasn’t my call — and it hurt me more than it helped.”
“The old system favoured players like me who put in massive volume. The new cap flattened the field — and I still came out on top,” he added.
Deeb listed his achievements to support his case: “5 final tables – 3 runner-up finishes, a third-place, and a bracelet — my 7th. That’s not hype. That’s consistency, depth, and performance. That’s a POY résumé.”
He also took direct aim at Hellmuth’s assertion that “no pros believe the right player won 바카라er of the Year.”
“That’s just false. I’ve had overwhelming support from players who understand the structure and saw the grind firsthand.”
Deeb concluded: “I didn’t win POY in a vacuum. I earned it — one table, one day, one hand at a time.”
WSOP press release praises Deeb’s run
A confirmed Deeb’s stellar performance, noting he “cashed in eighteen live bracelet events, six online bracelet events, reached five final tables, and won his seventh career WSOP bracelet in the $100,000 Pot Limit Omaha High Roller.”
“By locking up the 2025 WSOP 바카라er of the Year title, Deeb receives the WSOP 바카라er of the Year trophy, entry into the 2026 WSOP Main Event, and his second banner in the rafters of the Horseshoe Las Vegas Event Centre.”
The press release also acknowledged the fierce competition: “In a highly contentious three-way race with $1,000 No-Limit Hold ’em Mini Main Event winner Martin Kabrhel and Benny Glaser, who won three WSOP bracelets during the 2025 series, Deeb was able to go the distance.”
“Let’s reward those that take home the gold”
Hellmuth, meanwhile, offered concrete suggestions for reforming the POY system: “Twice as many points for your second bracelet won. Three times as many points for your third bracelet won.”
He proposed a more radical idea in the video: “Maybe what they can do is… have it so that there’s a panel of five people that can overrule, you know, in extraordinary circumstances. Like exactly someone winning three or four bracelets, like exactly someone winning the 바카라ers and the Main Event.”
Throughout, Hellmuth insisted the issue wasn’t personal: “I told Daniel Negreanu I would trade in my 14 2nd place finishes at WSOP for ONE gold bracelet! Winners win!”
Poker world divided
While many acknowledge Deeb’s consistency, there’s clear division over what POY should reward. “바카라er of the Year shouldn’t hinge on who generated the biggest moment. It’s about the full body of work,” Deeb argued.
Hellmuth, on the other hand, stood firm: “This is about being a champion. This is about gold bracelets.”
