In a “you couldn’t make this up” moment, the incorrigible Allen Kessler has somehow found a way to complain about being given a free shot at a $5million prizepool with $1million going to the winner. And it didn’t go unnoticed…
— Barry Carter (@Barry_Carter) December 13, 2024
In what can best be described as a facepalm moment, Kessler’s negativity clashed with almost everyone else at the WPT World Championship festival in Vegas.
The vast majority were enjoying the razzamatazz of a free tournament with 2000 seats, 500 cash prizes, 100 $10k tickets to the WPT World Championship and even a gold McLaren GTS worth $240,000 up for grabs. What’s not to like?
Well, apparently the structure was not to Kessler’s taste, specifically one level (300/500) being skipped in favour of an earlier (100/100). How very dare WPT Tournament Director Mike Savage!
C'mon @SavagePoker we wasted a level playing 100 100, and now we're skipping 300-500?
I think you've lost your touch … pic.twitter.com/Tsn7f28nN5
— Allen Kessler (@AllenKessler) December 13, 2024
Kessler’s complaint quickly went viral on X (formerly Twitter)…
- “Complaining about a $5million dollar freeroll is WILD!” (@e_tay)
- “What a joke complaining about the levels in this freeroll. Some of us would have been thrilled just to get the opportunity to play. Grow up.” (insky_bros)
- “1. It is a free roll 2. You would find something to bitch about no matter what.” (@tseitz11)
- “You should Unreg and get your money back…” (@getinthur)
And so it went on, almost nobody showing even an ounce of sympathy for “Chainsaw”, a player noted for complaining about the tiniest of matters.
Of course, the $5million freeroll wasn’t even aimed at the likes of Kessler, a midstakes pro. Instead, the idea of the invitational 2000 Golden Passports Seat Giveaway was to promote ClubWPT Gold, the WPT’s new sweepstakes-style portal.
For those new to the concept, it will allow players from most parts of the US to play for chips that will be redeemable for real money prizes. Two currencies will be in play:
- Gold Coins, available for purchase
- Sweeps Coins, awarded by the operator.
The Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for prizes, thereby giving players a chance to compete without putting any real money into play. This will complement WPT Global, already offering online poker outside of the US market.
The ClubWPT Gold tables are expected to be open for business some time in January, hence the $5million promo tournament in Vegas to show off their plans.
As a primarily recreational-aimed promotion, the pros and regs who did find their way in really ought to have been a bit more understanding of just how lucky they were to be included at all.
Kevin Mathers, the font of all things Vegas poker, explained it very well:
Obviously much thanks to @ClubWPTGold for putting up the opportunity to play in the $5,000,000 freeroll.
I know many people were eagerly trying to get their way into a seat and certainly understand their frustration.
In hindsight, it may have been nice to offer a drawing for…
— Kevin Mathers (@Kevmath) December 14, 2024
Meanwhile, day 1 of the $5million freeroll whittled the field down to just 49 hopefuls chasing the $1million top prize, with Floyd Achtzehnter leading the way, ahead of Nick Pupillo and Charles Cunha.
Big names left include WPT champs Eli Elezra and Darryl Fish, while Allen Kessler – king of the min. cash – picked up a rather undeserved $1700 for his 300th spot finish.
We’ll have a full winners’ report for you with all the best of the action on Monday morning, so be sure to check back in!
In the meantime, if you are after great poker deals, check out our exclusive WPT offer below:
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