But we cannot discount Hellmuth either. First of all, three second places in one year are up there with the most impressive feats in recent WSOP history (At the same time exposing some questions about his heads up game). But the real reason Hellmuth has to be the story of the year has been his complete reinvention.
Phil has taken a lot of criticism in recent years for not evolving along with the rest of the game, playing a style that worked pre boom but not anymore. But this year it has been public knowledge he has been working hard on his game.
He has also for a long time been criticised for being a Hold'em only player, but this year he has come runner up in 2-7, Stud Hi/Lo, and the 8 game mix – every discipline of the game, and all $10k+ championship events no less.
The most telling difference, however, is perhaps the completeattitude adjustment we have seen in 2011. He has been very modest (or at least, modest for Phil), complementary of his opponents, honest about his own errors, and in general reacted very positively when the cards did not fall his way. Most notably he has turned down all interview requests and did away with the elaborate Main Event entrance that he became known for.
It is no surprise that this happens the first year he is no longer sponsored by UB Poker. I always felt that the extravagant entrances and temper tantrums were more for the benefit of his sponsor than anything else.
Without a patch on his cap (and/or perhaps now having to fund his own buy-ins), we are seeing a Phil Hellmuth that is focussing on the poker, not the business, side of things. And in doing so, he has won over a whole new set of fans. Ben Lamb is the player of the year, but Phil Hellmuth is the story of the year, at the 2011 WSOP.
