Phil Hellmuth Is Defeated by Jason Koon, a First Timer

By Scott Bowen,
Editor at online-gambling.com

Scott Bowen Editor at online-gambling.com

Scott Bowen is a casino expert and editor with many years of experience in the gambling industry. He is one of the most valuable members of our team at online-gambling.com. Bowen specializes in writing on a variety of subjects, including roulette, blackjack, video poker, sports betting, and more.

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Last updated: December 23, 2022

On PokerGo’s “High Stakes Duel,” Phil Hellmuth defeated several well-known players, including Daniel Negreanu, Antonio Esfandiari, and Tom Dwan. However, the Poker Brat was ousted from his perch by Jason Koon, a first-timer.

In heads-up poker matches, Phil Hellmuth has frequently outmaneuvered his opponents by employing his Jedi mind tricks. However, he couldn’t use this against Jason Koon. Phil Hellmuth was 9-1 going into the match, with his lone defeat coming against Tom Dwan in August 2021.

The level of play has increased along with the stakes. Recently, Jason Koon easily defeated Hellmuth in a game for a pot worth $1.6 million. Koon is a WSOP bracelet holder that has won more than $40 million in live poker games.

Phil Hellmuth Had a Hard Time Finding Favorable Cards

In the match, Phil Hellmuth had a hard time finding favorable cards. However, that wasn’t his only issue. Jason Koon quickly discovered his opponent’s style and never let go. Koon stepped in to face Hellmuth after Scott Seiver withdrew in August.

The defending champion, Phil Hellmuth, started aggressively. He was able to clear a few smaller pots via bluffs, but Koon quickly adjusted and took control. Phil Hellmuth’s stack and ego were both crushed when he tried to force his way through a pot when he was holding a Q-6. Phil Hellmuth started a terrible run an hour into the game. Jason Koon repeatedly began at Ace-high hole cards, whereas Hellmuth had little luck.

The repeated blows eventually took their toll, and Phil Hellmuth grew more frustrated as he was unable to locate a pot. He attempted to bluff his way through a few, but that also went horribly wrong. When Koon forced Hellmuth to fold with a superior hand, it was the final nail in the coffin for him. Koon forced Hellmuth to back down, holding pocket deuces against his 7-7, an indication that he was in trouble.

Koon defeated Hellmuth in the shortest-ever “High Stakes Duel” episode yet. He finished Hellmuth in under three hours of play. The final winner held a 10-to-1 chip advantage at the time Hellmuth thought he had struck gold. Sitting on A-K against Q-8, Phil Hellmuth bet everything. However, Jason Koon, who won the hand with a Q on the flop, experienced a second stroke of luck.

Hellmuth Can Get a Rematch If He Wants

Hellmuth is free to ask for a rematch with Koon if he chooses. But it’s going to cost him. He would need to put in $1.6M for a game that is worth twice as much. His loss cost him $1.6M, of which $1.35m was earned through back-to-back victories. Hellmuth leaves empty-handed if he decides not to continue. But it’s not the Hellmuth that poker fans love to hate.

Phil Hellmuth and Tom Dwan had a rematch this January after Hellmuth initially lost to Dwan. Hellmuth triumphed that time, and he hasn’t wavered since. Hellmuth and Dwan were set for a rematch in May, however Tom Dwan was stuck overseas and could not make it to Las Vegas in time for the event.

This time around, he’s not likely to give up easily, either. Hellmuth has made more than $26 million playing poker, so he might be prepared to give up some cash to maintain his reputation. Others will be willing to take his seat at the table if he doesn’t.