Hustler Casino Live’s iconic Million Dollar Game is set to return in the coming months, and there’s growing buzz that one of poker’s most recognizable figures could be stepping into the spotlight. Phil Hellmuth, the game’s most decorated tournament player, has hinted that he may buy into the jaw-dropping $1 million cash game—and sources suggest there’s a strong chance it actually happens.
While final details are still being finalized, the Million Dollar Game is expected to run either in April or around the start of the 2026 World Series of Poker in May. As always, the lineups remain under wraps for now, but familiar high-stakes names such as Nik Airball and Alan Keating are expected to appear for at least part of the series. Add Hellmuth to that mix, and the star power jumps significantly.
A Test of Hellmuth’s High-Stakes Cash Game Reputation
With a record-setting 17 WSOP bracelets, Phil Hellmuth has long been considered one of the greatest tournament players in poker history. His résumé is stacked with virtually every major WSOP record imaginable, along with nearly $31 million in live tournament earnings.
That said, Hellmuth’s cash game credentials—especially at the absolute highest stakes—have often been questioned. While he’s made appearances on shows like High Stakes Poker and Hustler Casino Live, he’s never played in a streamed cash game as massive as the Million Dollar Game. A $1 million buy-in would represent uncharted territory in front of the cameras and give the BetRivers Poker ambassador a chance to silence longtime critics.
A Look Back at the Million Dollar Game
Launched by Hustler Casino Live co-owner Ryan Feldman in May 2023, the Million Dollar Game instantly became one of poker’s most talked-about spectacles. That debut featured major names like Tom Dwan, Doug Polk, and Ethan “Rampage” Yau, and produced a historic $3.1 million pot—still the largest ever broadcast—won by Dwan against Wesley Fei.
The 2024 edition delivered even more drama. Over four sessions in May, fortunes swung wildly, with Peter Wang emerging as the biggest winner, walking away nearly $5 million richer in his first appearance on the show. Meanwhile, a mystery player known only as “Thomas” was later revealed by PokerNews to be high-profile attorney Tom Goldstein. He endured a brutal run, losing $2.7 million across two sessions, highlighted by a stunning $540,000 pot where he folded the winning hand at showdown.
Last year marked the first time the Million Dollar Game was held in April, with Alan Keating, Nik Airball, and Haralabos Voulgaris stealing the spotlight through relentless action and lively table banter. Hustler Casino Live also experimented with a scaled-down version in December 2025, featuring $500,000 minimum buy-ins and a $1 million required stake.
Why Hellmuth’s Appearance Would Matter
Hellmuth is no stranger to Hustler Casino Live. His most memorable appearance came during the viral “MrBeast Game” in May 2022, one of the most-watched poker livestreams ever. While that game drew massive attention, Hellmuth faced criticism for playing overly tight against inexperienced opponents.
The Million Dollar Game would be a completely different challenge. The stakes are exponentially higher, the competition far tougher, and the spotlight brighter than ever. If Hellmuth does take a seat, it would mark the largest cash game the public has ever seen him play—and almost certainly make this year’s Million Dollar Game one of the most-watched poker livestreams yet.
