Phil Hellmuth, a 17-time bracelet winner, has chosen not to compete in the $10,000 main event this year, citing the event's demanding schedule as unfair to older players. Having participated in every main event since its inception in 1988, Hellmuth describes the experience as an "endurance contest" that can lead to fatigue and poorer performance for older competitors. He notes that many players share his concerns, advocating for changes such as scheduled days off, to better accommodate participants of all ages.
"I truly believe that 80% of the players want changes made to the main event. 12 hour days, or longer, for six to seven days in a row is brutal and disproportionately affects older players."
"I think that really hurts the older players in a much bigger proportion than the younger players. And I'll say this: more great players come and tell me that they blew the main event because they got too tired with 100 left, 50 left, with 30 left."
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