Phil Hellmuth promised to play more tournaments in 2026. Two weeks in, he's already making good on that promise — and cashing.

The Poker Brat made his second PGT Last Chance final table in three days, setting himself up for a run at the $1 million PokerGO Tour Championship freeroll starting January 12.

Hellmuth gonna Hellmuth.

The Quick Hit

• Event: PGT Last Chance Event #3 - $10,100 No-Limit Hold'em
• Field: 108 runners, 6 remain
• The leader: Sergio Aido
• Hellmuth's spot: One of the final six, bunched in the middle
• First place: $275,000

The Final Six

Here's who's still standing:

1. Sergio Aido - Chip leader, Spanish high-stakes crusher
2. Brandon Wilson - Close second
3. Chino Rheem - Already locked for the Championship
4. Jeremy Becker - Fresh off his Venetian win
5. Phil Hellmuth - The Poker Brat himself
6. Joey Weissman - Short stack

Play resumes Thursday at noon PT. Everyone's guaranteed at least $54,000, but $275,000 goes to the winner.

Hellmuth's 2026 Heater

Hellmuth finished 4th in Event #1 earlier this week for $98,100. Now he's back at a final table with a shot at $275,000.

His run comes at a critical time. The PGT Last Chance series determines the final spots in the top 40 who qualify for the season-ending Championship — a $1 million freeroll where all 40 players get to compete for the biggest prize in poker without paying a buy-in.

Hellmuth needs points to secure his spot. A win here would do it.

The Championship Stakes

The top 40 on the PGT leaderboard qualify for the $1 million Championship starting January 12. That's essentially a freeroll with life-changing money on the line.

Current leaders:

1. Sam Soverel - 2,938 points
2. Alex Foxen - 2,864 points
3. Chino Rheem - 2,468 points

Sergio Aido sits at 35th heading into this final table. A deep run should lock his spot. Hellmuth needs a solid finish to climb into the qualifying range.

Why This Matters

Hellmuth has 17 WSOP bracelets. He doesn't need to prove anything. But the PGT Championship is a different animal — a single tournament with all the best players in the world competing for a million dollars.

The Poker Brat wants in. And when Hellmuth wants something, he usually finds a way to make it dramatic.

The WSOP Circuit is running simultaneously at Planet Hollywood, but the PGT Last Chance has drawn the highest-stakes players. Everyone knows what's on the line.

The Setup

With blinds at 40,000/80,000/80,000 when play resumes, there's room to maneuver but no room for passivity. Short stack Joey Weissman will need to find a spot early.

Hellmuth thrives in these situations. He's won countless tournaments by grinding short, making hero calls, and outlasting the field. Whether you love him or hate him — and poker fans rarely feel neutral about Hellmuth — the man knows how to close out tournaments.

The Bottom Line

Phil Hellmuth making two final tables in three days is exactly the start to 2026 he promised. The $1 million Championship is in sight. The competition is stacked. The cameras are rolling.

If Hellmuth wins this thing, expect the most extravagant celebration the PokerGO studio has ever seen. If he busts in sixth, expect a lengthy explanation about how he had the best hand.

Either way, it's good content. Play resumes at noon PT. Grab your popcorn.