Phil Hellmuth shocked the poker world yet again by defeating Daniel Negreanu in High Stakes Duel III, making it 3-0 against his rival and a clean sweep of six from six overall…
#MOOD when the 3-0 sweep is completed. Congrats @phil_hellmuth on the incredible focus, endurance, and performance. You are the ultimate representation of what Breinfuel is all about🥳🎉💪🧠 #highstakesduel #philhellmuth #breinfuel #poker pic.twitter.com/yuj87mb01m
— Breinfuel: Mental Performance Drink (@Breinfuel) June 24, 2021
The High Stakes Duel Background
It was the third clash to take place between the pair in the exciting highstakes SNG-style format played out at the PokerGO studio in Vegas’ Aria Casino.
For Hellmuth it was his sixth visit overall, having defeated Antonio “The Magician” Esfandiari” 3-0 in HighStakes Duel I and pocketed some $350k in the process.
The opening bout between Hellmuth and Negreanu in April saw the Poker Brat continue his fine heads-up form. He recovered from a 19-1 chip deficit to eventually defeat DNegs, Hellmuth taking the first $50k from his fellow old-school poker legend.
Negreanu had a chance at revenge last month, but once again his new-style GTO-friendly play ran into big Phil’s “White Magic” and this time it cost Negreanu $100k.
Promising “I would rematch Phil for eternity. There is no possible way I would say no to a rematch with Phil Hellmuth,” last night saw Negreanu have his third shot at self-styled “apex predator” Hellmuth.
The High Stakes Duel Build-up
With the knowledge that Hellmuth could call it a day and walk off with $350,000 of his cash in total should he win, Negreanu was buoyed by poker Twitter fans fancying his chances.
Will @phil_hellmuth or @RealKidPoker win High Stakes Duel II Round 3 for $400,000 this Wednesday at 8pm ET? Exclusively on PokerGO -> https://t.co/V9033d3zYj
— PokerGO (@PokerGO) June 22, 2021
Hellmuth meanwhile was feeling a little dissed, this time by commentators Maria Ho and Ali Nejad siding with Negreanu to win, a world-weary sigh from Phil as his legacy was questioned yet again…
Sigh… https://t.co/L4aFosgIKJ
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) June 23, 2021
The High Stakes Duel Showdown
The pair started off on friendly terms, discussing cryptocurrency and GGPoker – Negreanu’s paymasters – surpassing PokerStars in cash game numbers.
Fans were able to watch the opening half an hour on PokerGO for free, with Phil and Daniel starting out very deepstacked, with 200k chips and blinds of 200/400.
The early part of the battle went Negreanu’s way, though Hellmuth showed signs of why his “feel” for the game is a match for the modern-day solver approach.
Phil Hellmuth just folded ace, jack-suited to one bet, heads-up, pre-flop, and was behind.
"Mandatory call," the commentators said incredulously.
Wow.@PokerGO #Poker @phil_hellmuth pic.twitter.com/CrwnawXNbE
— High Roller Radio (@HighRollerRadio) June 24, 2021
For the fans, it has been an amazing week, with Phil Ivey beating Patrik Antonius to lift the WPT HeadsUp crown and Hellmuth showing he can bluff with the best of them.
If @PhilIvey is from a different planet, @Phil_Hellmuth is from a different universe. High Stakes Duel is still live: Watch now -> https://t.co/V3wHLWg9jH pic.twitter.com/OnVWGUtact
— PokerGO (@PokerGO) June 24, 2021
It took 5 hours to separate the pair, and it came down to a cooler when both men flopped a straight draw and turn produced the killer filler.
The Aftermath
With Hellmuth bagging three wins in a row, he can now cash out the $350,000 just as he did against Esfandiari. Who is next in line to face his “White Magic” is the next big question.
Tom Dwan should get the call-up, having revealed last week on the “No Gamble, No Future” podcast that it should have been him, not Negreanu, facing Hellmuth in round two.
It’s likely he’ll get his chance, but for the time being it’s Phil Hellmuth who is the king of the high stakes duel hill.
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