Key Takeaways
Millionaire Maker ultimate desk marred by alleged chip dumping and off-record deal.
Participant penalized for watching a Doug Polk video, mistaken for utilizing GTO software program.
Adam Hendrix was blocked from carrying WPT patch simply earlier than Important Occasion ultimate desk.
William Kassouf was banned from the WSOP after repeated behavioral incidents.
PokerGO livestream crashed throughout Important Occasion ultimate desk because of DDoS assault.
The 2025 World Sequence of Poker (WSOP) has been some of the memorable in current historical past. It’s had record-breaking prize swimming pools, dramatic ultimate desk showdowns, Michael Mizrachi’s epic Important Occasion win, and Leo Margets making the poker world rally behind her like by no means earlier than.
However in fact, it was all not plain crusing. There may be all the time one thing taking place on the WSOP — and this yr was no totally different.
From livestream outages to participant bans, and even a cringeworthy Important Occasion entrance by the Poker Brat himself, this yr’s WSOP proved that the drama wasn’t restricted to the flip and the river.
1. “Milly Maker” Mayhem: Bracelet Confusion and Chip Dumping
One of many earliest controversies got here throughout the ever-popular Millionaire Maker occasion, which supplied a $1 million prime prize. Stories surfaced {that a} controversial deal was struck on the ultimate desk, behind closed doorways, and that chip dumping occurred. All so one participant might make the most of a profitable extra $1 million from ClubWPT Gold that was accessible to in the event that they gained the occasion.
To make issues worse, rumors started circulating that one, or each gamers concerned within the deal have been quietly banned from future occasions, although no official assertion has been made by WSOP organizers. The incident has prompted requires better transparency throughout deal negotiations and ultimate desk rulings. No gold bracelet was awarded.
2. Participant Given One Spherical Penalty for Watching… a Doug Polk Video?
In a call that many discovered baffling, a participant was reportedly given a one-round ban after match workers thought the participant was viewing a GTO chart on the desk. The participant has since come out to say he was watching a Doug Polk YouTube video on the desk and denied breaking any guidelines.
The rule banning digital gadgets throughout the ultimate three tables of bracelet occasions got here into impact this yr because of what occurred on the 2024 WSOP Important Occasion. That yr Jonathan Tamayo had his rail actively teaching him via the ultimate heads up match, with laptops and GTO charts software program operating.
3. Adam Hendrix Denied WPT Patch… On the Option to Important Occasion Ultimate Desk
In a second that reeked of last-minute company politicking, Adam Hendrix — a well known professional and Important Occasion finalist— was reportedly advised as he walked to the ultimate desk of the Important Occasion that he was not allowed to put on a WPT-branded patch.
The WSOP, owned by Caesars, has lengthy maintained strict sponsorship insurance policies. However telling a participant simply moments earlier than taking their seat on the most prestigious desk in poker? That rubbed many the incorrect means, with WPT International ambassador David Lappin calling the transfer very f**cked up. Some followers speculated that WSOP officers waited to implement the ban, in an effort to shield their very own model pursuits in opposition to rival tour WPT.
Notably the WSOP didn’t had any difficulty with Important Occasion Finalists Kenny Hallaert carrying PokerStars patch nor Leo Margets carrying Winamax branding or the eventual winner Michael Mizrachi branded with the BetMGM Poker brand.
4. William Kassouf Banned from Remainder of WSOP After Repeated Incidents
Controversial British participant William Kassouf, identified for his “speech play” and former headline-making antics again in 2016, was formally banned from the remainder of the 2025 WSOP following his Important Occasion exit. The choice got here after a number of reported incidents involving inappropriate conduct on the tables, arguments with sellers, and alleged rule violations. He was penalized with having to take a seat out of desk orbits, together with being placed on a ten second shot clock, a lot to the dismay of many poker followers.
The ultimate straw seems to have been a shouting match between Kassouf, his desk, and the ground after he busted, ending with Kassouf being escorted from the room. Kassouf, in fact, went reside shortly after on social media, defending his actions and claiming he was “focused.”
5. Freeway to Hellmuth: Cut up Feelings on Phil Hellmuth’s Grand Entrance
Phil Hellmuth’s WSOP Important Occasion entrances have develop into the stuff of legend and mock. 2025’s entrance was no exception. This yr, Hellmuth arrived dressed as a leather-clad rock star, lip-syncing AC/DC’s Freeway to Hell, together with his son Phil Hellumuth III and Dan “Jungleman” Cates on guitars.
Many onlookers questioned whether or not the 61-year-old poker legend and BetRivers Poker ambassador is likely to be operating out of concepts — or just making an attempt too onerous. Nonetheless, true to kind, Hellmuth isn’t delay by the critics and little doubt will likely be returning subsequent yr with an much more grandiose thought.
6. PokerGO Livestream Meltdown on Day 1 of Important Occasion Ultimate Desk
As pleasure peaked for the ultimate desk of the Important Occasion, so did technical issues. PokerGO, the unique live-streaming accomplice for the WSOP, suffered a serious outage on Day 1 of the ultimate desk. The stream was down for over an hour, after a DDoS assault, irritating tens of 1000’s of followers and paid subscribers, hoping to catch each hand reside.
The glitch additionally affected in-house shows on the Horseshoe On line casino, the place screens quickly went darkish. The difficulty was ultimately resolved, however not earlier than a torrent of on-line complaints. The timing couldn’t have been worse.
Nonetheless, PokerGO scrambled lifted the paywall on the streamed protection on YouTube, that means 1000’s of individuals might watch the motion unfold totally free.
7. Lexy Gavin Catches Vendor Blunder on Digital camera in Wild Viral Clip
Lexy Gavin-Mather lately posted a vlog that includes a hand she performed on the WSOP, unknowingly capturing a severe seller error on video. Within the clip, a misdeal on the flop results in a complicated sequence wherein Gavin factors out which card ought to stay — a correction which will have inadvertently retrieved an important seven from the muck, giving her a set.
A Sequence to Keep in mind, For Higher or Worse
The 2025 WSOP has been a rollercoaster of poker excellence and organizational chaos. Whereas the collection continues to attract large fields and worldwide consideration, it’s clear that the sport’s largest stage will not be proof against controversy — some self-inflicted, some avoidable, and others downright unusual.
Whether or not you’re expecting the bluffs, the drama, or the occasional Hellmuth spectacle, one factor’s for certain: the WSOP stays poker’s final proving floor and its most flamable powder keg.
