Phil Hellmuth teaches his son to play poker without any favors on the show Hellmuth’s Home Game

On the show Hellmuth’s Home Game, Phil Hellmuth encourages his son to build up his bankroll from $75 on his own, showcasing fair play and a friendly atmosphere at the poker table.

Every Monday, a new episode of Phil Hellmuth’s home game — Hellmuth’s Home Game — airs on CBS Sports, organized with the support of Poker Night in America (PNIA) and sponsored by BetRivers. The show is filmed at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, and will run through the end of 2025. Unlike most poker TV shows, there is no commentator here: the atmosphere is created by live table talk, witty banter, and discussions between Phil Hellmuth, his friends, and professional players. Each week, viewers can watch the game in a relaxed, almost home-like setting, where the stakes and emotions are just as high as in major tournaments. Episode Overview: Season Highlights and Key Moments By the time the 11th episode aired, the show had already become memorable for its many bright moments and dramatic hands. Each episode features not only seasoned professionals but also Phil Hellmuth’s close friends and family, including his son, Philip Hellmuth III. Here’s a brief overview of previous episodes: Episode 1: Jungleman (Dan Cates) faced off against Philip Hellmuth III. Episode 2: Jungleman paid the price for aggressive play against the home game regulars. Episodes 3 and 4: Philip Hellmuth III learned valuable poker lessons firsthand. Episode 5: Phil Hellmuth played actively and won several big pots. Episode 6: Father and son Hellmuth both suffered significant losses. Episode 7: Randy “3Coin” Sadler lost two big pots in a row. Episode 8: One player fell into Hellmuth’s trap, sparking lively discussion at the table. Episode 9: One participant tried to “knock out” Phil Hellmuth from the game. Episode 10: Jungleman accurately read Xuan Liu’s hand in the biggest pot in the show’s history. Episode 11: Phil Hellmuth shared the story of his first poker tournament win. Each episode is filled not only with interesting hands but also with conversations that make viewers feel like part of an exclusive club of professionals. Game Format and Lineup The structure in episode 11 was as follows: blinds were $25/$50, with a mandatory $50 big blind ante. A $100 straddle was often added, increasing the action and pot sizes. The table featured well-known pros and regulars of the show: Phil Hellmuth — legendary player, multiple WSOP bracelet winner, and organizer of the home game. Philip Hellmuth III — Phil’s son, a regular participant in the show. Dan “Jungleman” Cates — one of the strongest cash game players today. Randy “3Coin” Sadler — an active player known for his aggressive style. Xuan Liu — professional player, multiple-time finalist in major tournaments. DJ Washburn — a regular in the home games. Nevada — another regular, often adding action to the table. This lineup ensures a variety of styles and strategies, as well as plenty of unexpected twists in every hand. Key Hands of the Episode: Detailed Analysis First Hand: 3Coin Takes the Pot with Two Pair At the very start of the episode, Randy “3Coin” Sadler limps in from early position with K♦Q♥ . The player known as Nevada raises to $500 with A♥K♣ , and Dan Cates (“Jungleman”) joins the action from the hijack with 6♦4♦ . After 3Coin calls, the flop comes Q♦3♣K♥ , giving him two pair (kings and queens), while Nevada has top pair with an ace kicker. Cates bets $500, 3Coin check-raises to $2,000, Nevada calls, and Cates folds. On the turn 9♠ both players check, and on the river 4♣ 3Coin bets a modest $600, which Nevada calls. The $7,325 pot goes to 3Coin. Second Hand: A Strong Hand Gets Folded The next notable hand starts with 3Coin limping under the gun with 10♠10♣ . Cates joins with 4♦3♦ , and Phil Hellmuth raises to $400 from the cutoff with 8♦8♣ . DJ Washburn calls on the button with 9♦7♦ , after which Xuan Liu three-bets to $2,000 from the small blind with A♦A♠ . 3Coin and Cates fold, Hellmuth calls, Washburn folds. The flop comes 4♣Q♣2♥ ; Xuan continues with a $1,600 bet, Hellmuth calls. The turn is 10♦ (which would have given 3Coin a set had he not folded tens), Xuan bets $2,700, Hellmuth calls again, leaving himself $3,775. On the river K♦ Xuan checks, Hellmuth checks as well, and the $13,200 pot goes to Xuan Liu with a pair of aces. 3Coin Wins $3,000 from Hellmuth In one of the most talked-about hands of the episode, the straddle was on. 3Coin calls from the hijack with A♥7♠ , Cates raises to $500 on the button with K♥8♥ , Hellmuth defends the small blind with 9♦9♣ , and 3Coin calls. The flop is A♠A♦3♣ , giving 3Coin trip aces; everyone checks. On the turn 7♣ Hellmuth bets $600, 3Coin, now with a full house, just calls, Cates folds. On the river 5♦ Hellmuth bets $900, 3Coin says, “My brand — $3,000,” raising the bet. Hellmuth calls, and the $8,900 pot goes to 3Coin. “Try to Run Up $75” — The Philip Hellmuth III Episode Philip Hellmuth III raises to $350 from the button with K♠10♦ , 3Coin calls from the small blind with A♥K♣ . The flop is K♥J♠A♦ ; 3Coin makes two pair (aces and kings) and bets $300, Hellmuth III calls with a pair of kings and a gutshot straight draw. The turn 8♥ — another $300 bet from 3Coin, call. River 6♠ , 3Coin checks, Hellmuth III bets $500, 3Coin check-raises to $1,500. Hellmuth III has $1,075 left, tanks, and calls, losing the $5,100 pot. A disappointed Philip says, “Terrible call, I’m out for now.” His father, Phil Hellmuth, encourages him: “Philip, try to run up $75,” referring to the three green $25 chips his son had left. Final Hand: Hellmuth Hits Broadway In the last hand of the episode, Philip Hellmuth III goes all-in for $100 with 7♠7♥ . 3Coin raises to $300 with J♦10♦ , Nevada calls with 4♠3♠ . Cates reraises to $1,200 from the cutoff with 8♥8♣ , Hellmuth Sr. calls with K♦Q♠ , Xuan Liu calls with 9♠9♦ from the big blind, and 3Coin calls to $1,200. Nevada folds, and five players see the flop 7♣J♥10♣ . Xuan checks, 3Coin bets $3,000, Cates folds, Hellmuth Sr. calls all-in for $2,600 with an open-ended straight draw, Xuan folds. In the main pot, Philip Hellmuth III leads with a set of sevens, 3Coin is ahead in the side pot with two pair. The turn 5♠ changes nothing, but the river A♠ gives Hellmuth Sr. the nut straight (“Broadway”), and he doubles up to $10,475. Leaderboard and Episode Results At the end of the episode, the table looked like this (exact stack sizes weren’t given, but the hand-by-hand action shows the dynamics): Randy “3Coin” Sadler — won several big pots, including $8,900 and $7,325. Phil Hellmuth — lost a significant portion of his stack to 3Coin and Xuan Liu, but then doubled up thanks to a straight. Philip Hellmuth III — lost almost his entire stack, left with $75, then went all-in for $100. Xuan Liu — won a $13,200 pot with a pair of aces. Dan “Jungleman” Cates — played several hands, but didn’t record any big wins. DJ Washburn — participated in hands, but didn’t have any major wins. Nevada — regularly created action, but didn’t notch any big pots in this episode. Thus, the most successful player of the episode was 3Coin, who took down several big pots, while Phil Hellmuth, despite setbacks, managed to double up in the final hand. Context: What Makes the Show Unique Hellmuth’s Home Game stands out from other poker TV shows for several reasons. First, there’s no traditional commentator — all the focus is on the players’ live dialogue. This allows for a deeper immersion into the atmosphere of a real home game, where not only the cards matter, but also psychology, friendly teasing, sharing experiences, and even family relationships. Second, the lineup — a mix of renowned pros and Hellmuth’s close friends — creates a unique balance between competitiveness and a laid-back vibe. Third, the structure with high blinds and frequent straddles brings the dynamics of high-stakes cash games, while still maintaining a cozy, humorous home game feel. Special attention is given to mentoring the younger generation — through Philip Hellmuth III, viewers can see that even experienced players make mistakes and run bad, but support and advice from elders help maintain motivation and learn from one’s missteps. Phil Hellmuth’s phrase “Try to run up $75” has become a symbol of believing in a comeback, even with a minimal stack. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players This series of Hellmuth’s Home Game episodes can serve as a great example for all PPPoker club members. First, the home cash game format with live conversation and no commentators shows how important the table atmosphere is. In PPPoker clubs, you can also create a similar friendly yet competitive environment, where every participant feels like part of a team, not just an opponent. Second, the hands where even pros make mistakes or get into tough spots are a reminder: poker is not just about math, but also psychology, keeping your cool, and learning from mistakes. Everyone runs bad sometimes, but it’s important not to give up and to use even a minimal stack to get back in the game, just like Phil Hellmuth did in the final hand. Finally, by watching the strategies and styles of top players, PPPoker club members can pick up new tactics, experiment with aggression, check-raises, bluffs, and adapt what they see to their own home games. This experience will not only diversify your play but also help you improve your skills, regardless of stakes or format.