Controversy has erupted over Jonathan Tamayo’s incredible $10million WSOP Main Event with claims that his running to the rail between hands to receive potential GTO advice was against the rules. Daniel Negreanu was among those to question Tamayo’s actions…
Those watching the final table were surprised to find Tamayo rushing to the rail between hands to consult 2015 champ Joe McKeehen and Dominik Nitsche, the latter the founder of DTO Poker.
GTO exploits, Sims or…?
Nitsche was consulting a laptop throughout the evening, sparking discussion that he was feeding best lines of play between hands to Tamayo to help him exploit his opponents.
That, as Daniel Negreanu and many others pointed out, seemed to be against the rules.
“I was under the impression that it was already against the rules this year. Cannot reference solvers or charts during play, only on breaks outside the tournament area,” tweeted DNegs.
He added: “Based on my understanding of the rule, looking at solvers or charts in between hands isn’t allowed. Someone else running solves in game and then telling you in between hands… also should not be allowed.”
This was the announcement made at the beginning of the tourneys.
Listen below https://t.co/VXL7bnMpkf
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) July 20, 2024
Nitsche Unrepentant in Face of Criticism
Nitsche claimed on Twitter that his help didn’t involve running Sims during play, although admitting he worked with Tamayo and DTO “for 3 handed and FT prep.”
just game time adjustments and strategic reminders. nothing fancy. mainly to help him execute with more confidence.
i'm loving all the conspiracy theories i'm getting. people think i'm running hands. 🤣
— Dominik Nitsche (@DominikNitsche) July 18, 2024
Although nobody at the table appeared to complain about Tamayo’s constant rail runs for help, plenty watching on found it at the very least against the spirit of the game.
Particularly after Nitsche, a polarizing figure in the game, came across as completely unrepentant.
I can’t comment on whatever is on that laptop, but I will share that I was with a dozen friends last night watching the final table playing on the background and not a single one of them thought whatever is on that laptop was tasteful or within the spirit of the game.
— Mister_Keating (@Mister_Keating) July 18, 2024
That led to a bad taste exchange, the German pro tweeting: “acting like an absolute clown on stream to get whale action in private games isn’t exactly anyone’s definition of “spirit of the game” either. I prefer competing over sucking up to rich guys.”
Poker World Mostly Unimpressed
Poker Fraud Alert founder Todd Witteles also weighed in: “Since the present rules allow it, this wasn’t cheating.”
Witteles added: “However, it’s a bad look, and against the spirit of live poker, especially at the most high profile event of the year. @WSOP needs to change this rule ASAP and ban the usage of solvers on the rail.”
Poker Hall of Famer Kathy Liebert was another who wasn’t impressed by Nitsche’s ‘win at all costs and sod everyone else’ approach, and had a few choice words for Joe McKeehen too…
Just watching the coverage on @PokerGO now. Poker shouldn’t be a team sport. 😳😠🤯. Solvers allowed at final table? 🙄🤯
— Kathy Liebert (@pokerkat) July 18, 2024
However, as Patrick Leonard pointed out, it wasn’t the first time such behaviour had been witnessed at the final table of the poker world’s biggest event.
Every year I've watched the WSOP FT, the most prominent members of the community have been there with Laptops or/and headphones. Seiver, Deeb and everybody else we respect and trust. It was never an issue previously. Players would ALWAYS go to their rails between hands and get… pic.twitter.com/8XN1qrKtTl
— Patrick Leonard 🫡 (@padspoker) July 19, 2024
As Faraz Jaka pointed out, though, this was the first year that the rules explicitly stated no solvers in the tournament area, although the announcement Negreanu mentioned seemed at odds with some of the posted rules.
Doubtless the debate will rage on, but please let us know in the comments/social media your view on whether such help should be allowed or banned completely.
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