The crackdown on poker “cheats” in the live sphere continues with strict new rules being introduced for the upcoming WPT World Championship. Wearing hoodies, accessing help from the rail, and the banning of mobile phones at the final table are just a few of the changes being introduced.
To those that care about this sort of thing, the section of the @WynnPoker @WPT Terms and Conditions regarding solvers and electronic devices https://t.co/Op1v4kmz8g pic.twitter.com/rFrMIbQX69
— Kevin Mathers (@Kevmath) December 3, 2024
The poker world has seen multiple incidents this year alone of players taking advantage of grey areas in the rules, as well as outright cheating at the tables. Sometimes the difference is unclear even to experienced players and fans.
The biggest headlines this summer were not “Jonathan Tamayo wins WSOP Main Event” but rather “Tamayo in WSOP laptop controversy”, and it wasn’t just the media looking for clickbait.
The scenes of winner Tamayo running to his rail between hands to consult solver expert Dominik Nitsche and his laptop were beyond farcical, but they paid off as Tamayo walked off with the $10million top prize.
Not only that, but his laptop-wielding coach Nitsche doubled-down and stuck two fingers up at those who found the whole approach unedifying, if not outright cheating.
Elsewhere, there were players openly using GTO Wizard at the tables, and despite protestations, the problem has become widespread…
Caught a guy on @GTOWizard in the @WSOP 1k Mystery Millions NLH Flight A.
— James Chen (@ChipBurglar) May 31, 2024
First photo was taken at Paris white section table 194 at 17:39. Despite the privacy screen protector, you can make out the GTO Wizard login screen. Second photo is for identification.
More details below. pic.twitter.com/G68cnwTPk5
The WPT World Championship has therefore introduced strict new rules in a bid to prevent such breaches, and the negative scenes they cause and leave behind.
- Participants are prohibited from using gaming charts or any other poker training tools in the Tournament Area while play is in progress.
To clarify the confusion over ‘Tournament Area’ that bogged down the post-WSOP discussion, the Wynn rules define it as “the poker tables on which play is underway, as well as any adjacent walkways or spaces that are accessible to participants and in view of any table on which play is taking place.”
Players who breach the rule face penalties “up to and including disqualification”.
Now we move on to disabling the happy band of helpers, such as Nitsche and Tamayo’s other cornerman, Joe McKeehen:
- The use of gaming charts or other poker training tools by spectators, family, friends, or coaches of the participants in or around the Tournament Area for the purpose of relaying real time information, strategy, or coaching advice is expressly prohibited during tournament play.
Not only that, but the obvious loophole of ‘prior knowledge’ is closed:
“Additionally, participants may not receive strategy advice or coaching derived from charts or training tools (i.e., what hands should and should not be played in any given circumstance).”
Again, the Wynn states that they have the right to “issue penalties to participants up to and including disqualification for any violation, at its sole discretion.”
The WPT World Championship isn’t quite going to resemble a top-level chess event, where any and all electronic devices are completely forbidden, but it is heading in that direction.
- At the Tournament Director’s discretion, Wynn Las Vegas reserves the right to limit the use of electronic devices including, but not limited to cellular phones, headphones, earbuds, or wearable technology (e.g., smartwatches) at any time.
Google glasses don’t escape the watchful eye of the rule makers either:
- Eyewear that features an electronic component, which includes wireless or Bluetooth capabilities, are expressly prohibited.
Again, penalties up to DQ are available to deal with such a breach, and it won’t be a defence to say the device or features were switched off.
The final table, scheduled for December 21st, will be an electronics free zone for players and fans:
- All electronic devices, including those outlined above as well as those not expressly defined, will not be permitted during final table play and must be stowed and not accessed by the participant.
Meanwhile, in a bid to ensure nobody tries to get around the rules with some surreptitious earpiece or other, hoodies and headphones get the kibosh:
- During final table play and all other timeframes during which the Tournament Director has limited or restricted the use of electronic devices, hooded sweatshirts and other apparel may not be worn in a manner that covers a participant’s ears.
That could prove to be a problem for some players, Christoph Vogelsang known for his outlandish hoodie attire…
Meanwhile, it appears that the WSOP Paradise running in the Bahamas at the same time as the Wynn WPT World Championships, is taking a similar approach…
The 2024 WSOP Paradise rules include a section regarding Electronic Assistance and Coaching.
— Kevin Mathers (@Kevmath) December 1, 2024
Full rules at https://t.co/rF2KKEHr07 pic.twitter.com/8dvMOuYa6K
The proof of the pudding will be in the eating, or here the enforcement of such rules and restrictions, but it appears to be a significant step in the right direction.
Let us know on our socials what you think of the new approach. Will it work? Is it too draconian? Share your thoughts!
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