The countdown to the 2025 WSOP starts here. 100 bracelets. All the poker players. And PokerOrg will be on the floor from start to finish.
Ari Engel has won more WSOP-C rings (19) than anyone else. He’s also claimed four WSOP bracelets, won the Aussie Millions Main Event, boasts 384 WSOP cashes, and has nearly $10 million in career earnings worldwide.
'I love being in a state that has legal online poker'
What are you most looking forward to this summer at the WSOP?
I don't make any schedules. The thing that I look forward to most each day is having choices. In most places I go, the tournament I'm playing that day is set. There's only one choice. I love having choices. This summer, even if I limit myself to just the WSOP, there are a ton of choices. And I love being in a state that has legal online poker.
Are you playing at the WSOP-C in LA ahead of the WSOP?
I am. Yes.
Do you think the Tournament of Champions should be played there? Most players don't seem happy...
I think it's bad for the average player. Most people who play poker have a real job and can only take so much time off work. And everyone wants to go to Las Vegas during the summer. Adding in a separate one in LA can be tough on those players.
Since I'm going, it's better for me if no one else shows up. Then I get the $1 million prize pool to myself. The fewer people that show up, the better. Overall, though, I don't think it's a great move from the WSOP.
Are you enjoying the ring-race rivalry between yourself, Hawkins, and Lowery?
It's definitely enjoyable. I'm always looking for side motivations to play poker, and I like the competition. Having the leaderboards and the media around a lot is awesome. I think the fact that Maurice is a little bit of a controversial figure helps.
You're on top right now with 19 rings. Is that also fun?
It's definitely fun. I don't expect to hold it forever or even in the long run. For now, it's good, and when I lose it, I'm very much okay with it. I won't lose the top spot for lack of trying. I will lose it because there are a lot of really good players chasing it, and one of them will make a nice run. A few online guys are doing so well. Mike Lavin just won his 16th. He hasn't been discussed too much, but he's crushing it.
Maurice Hawkins plays the heel role to perfection on the Circuit – and Engel thinks it adds to the fun of the ring race.
'Everything's great when you win your flips'
What do you put your success over the past 20 years down to?
I have a really good attitude, but I think it's a little unfair because I run really well. Everything's great when you win your flips. That's a big part of it and can't be ignored. I'm not discounting that I’m a good player, but I’ve done very well when it's counted.
What do you love most about poker?
I love the competition of poker. I love that race, religion, nationality, sex, or any of that stuff doesn't make a difference. It also doesn't make a difference who you know, your parents know, or even if you iron your clothes on any given day.
Who would you swap 5% with at the WSOP?
Phil Hui. He has such solid fundamentals, and his poker skills are unbelievable. And then his mental game is second to none.
Do you believe that Phil Hellmuth will play the WSOP Main Event after his threat to no-show unless the WSOP changes the structure?
I'd love to see the levels be a little shorter or something like that from a personal perspective. I don't know Phil well enough to have a great read. It makes sense if you want to increase your chance of winning a bracelet because that tournament lasts so long. I think he views his legacy mainly in terms of the number of bracelets. Of course, having another deep Main Event run wouldn't hurt Phil’s legacy. But as a gambling man, I'll go out on a limb and say he will play it.
