High Stakes Duel match worth $1.6 million between Scott Seiver and Phil Hellmuth has been called off, as Seiver decided to back out of the Round 5. Personal reasons were cited for the withdrawal from a battle that was scheduled on August 22.
That kind of a short notice didn’t leave too much room for PokerGO to find a replacement, so they even turned to Twitter.
If you win, a new challenger can step up. If Phil wins, HSD 3 is over and Phil is the champ. Again.
— PokerGO (@PokerGO) August 12, 2022
PokerGO would like to keep the same broadcast date of August 22 — Reply here or contact Brent Hanks at hanks@pokergo.com
Many high-profile players popped out in that thread, showing interest in a match against Hellmuth. From World Champion Espen Jorstad to Bryn Kenney, HU specialist Chris Brewer, 4-time bracelet winner Julien Martini, Dan Smith, and more.
Eventually, Jason Koon has been selected to challenge Phil in a $1.6 million High Stakes Duel III Round 5 match, but due to Hellmuth’s request, match has been postponed to a later date, which will be revealed in the coming days.
Oh boy!! I will play for $1.6 Million against a great great player, one of the best in the world today: @JasonKoon Dates to be announced soon, can watch only on @PokerGo https://t.co/5LjoLlUPjv
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) August 16, 2022
Poker Brat currently has a 9-1 record in 10 matches played in High Stakes Duel with 3 wins over Antonio Esfandiari and Daniel Negreanu, one win over Nick Wright, Tom Dwan, and Scott Seiver. He suffered the only loss in Round 2 against Tom Dwan.
Should Phil come out victorious against Koon, he can cash out the $1.6 million and walk away from HSD as a third time winner.
