Chih Fan has denied violating WSOP Rule 64 relating to accepted digital gadgets after receiving a one-round penalty for allegedly viewing a GTO chart on the desk throughout Day 6 of the Major Occasion.
The Taiwanese participant strongly denied the accusation on the time and has since launched an announcement saying he was watching “Doug Polk’s YouTube” through the hand in query. Regardless of the reason, the ruling was upheld and the penalty enforced.
Rule 64 explicitly bans all digital gadgets within the match room through the closing three tables of bracelet occasions. It additionally forbids any type of teaching, together with watching the dwell stream or utilizing charts, apps, or synthetic intelligence whereas contained in the room.
“Failure to stick to this rule will lead to a penalty for the participant and elimination from the match room for the spectator,” reads the official WSOP coverage.
“I’ve By no means Cheated. By no means.”
Fan took to Instagram to deal with the incident immediately, stating, “I’ve by no means cheated. By no means.”
“I don’t stall on angle, don’t even skip the large blind,” he added. “I swear on my life and character: I see poker as a sport — one which deserves sportsmanship.”
In the identical put up, Fan defined that he had opened a Doug Polk video whereas one other participant was tanking and {that a} GTO chart could have briefly appeared on display screen.
“Guidelines are lifeless. Individuals are alive. And to those that dwell like lifeless guidelines — I really feel nothing however sympathy.”
“Subsequent time, I’ll be extra cautious,” Fan wrote. “Received’t open Doug Polk’s YouTube whereas another person is tanking… simply to keep away from a random GTO chart popping up — that I completely don’t want.”
Polk responded to the put up on Instagram, writing, “I acquired your again buddy, getting a shoutout on my subsequent breaking information.”
PokerNews’ Connor Richards, who witnessed the incident, reported that a number of gamers on the desk had been sympathetic to Fan, noting that it’s potential for hand histories or charts to seem unintentionally if despatched by a buddy.
Fan additionally shared a extra philosophical absorb his Instagram put up, writing, “Guidelines are lifeless. Individuals are alive. And to those that dwell like lifeless guidelines — I really feel nothing however sympathy.”
What’s Rule 64 – Permitted Digital Units; Prohibited Filming and Streaming?
Rule 64 was launched to curb using digital instruments and potential Actual Time Help (RTA) throughout streamed WSOP occasions. The rule comprises provisions that cowl each members in tournaments and spectators current within the match room.
In response to the rule, “No gadgets might be allowed for use within the match room throughout these late phases of streamed occasions and no teaching from anyplace inside the match room might be allowed. This contains viewing of the match stream and utilization of any digital help.”
Individuals and spectators should not allowed to make use of charts, apps, synthetic intelligence, or every other type of digital help
-2025 WSOP Official Guidelines
It additional states, “Individuals and spectators should not allowed to make use of charts, apps, synthetic intelligence, or every other type of digital help within the match room that might give a participant a bonus.” This contains each direct communication, equivalent to talking, and oblique strategies like textual content, electronic mail, or messaging apps.
The WSOP coverage makes it clear that each gamers and spectators are topic to Rule 64, with signage posted all through the venue stating that “by coming into the match room they comply with abide by Rule 64.”
Eliot Thomas
Content material Government
Connor Richards
Senior Editor U.S.
