The World Poker Tour (WPT) Cyprus Championship, which runs by means of August 18, is the keystone occasion on the schedule for the $5 Million GTD Competition on the Chamada Status Lodge & On line casino. One participant who made the journey to the island nation was Will Kassouf, essentially the most controversial determine from final month’s 2025 World Collection of Poker (WSOP) Principal Occasion.
On his strategy to ending in thirty third place for $300,000 (he claimed within the interview to have had 100% of his motion), Kassouf ruffled a variety of feathers amongst his fellow gamers, match employees, and poker followers because of his incessant speaking, frequent tanks, and escalating antics.
Kassouf proved to be an especially polarizing determine, with 67% of individuals in a current PokerNews ballot saying they don’t like him and that he’s dangerous for poker. Solely 16% stated they beloved him and he’s good for the sport, 10% have been detached, and the ultimate 7% stated that they had by no means heard of him.
Whereas on the WPT Cyprus, Kassouf sat down for an unique interview on the PokerNews Podcast by which he stated, “There’s two sides to each story.” Under are some highlights from the interview, however if you wish to hear his story in full, you are able to do so right here:
Clashing with Gamers & Employees
Anybody who tuned into PokerGO protection of the WSOP Principal Occasion, and even checked out PokerNews’ personal social media and YouTube channels, obtained to see Kassouf’s conduct on full show. Nevertheless, whereas many assume Kassouf was going out of his strategy to act unsuitably, he claims in any other case.
“There are two sides to each story. It’s not about me being a jerk, an asshole, being obnoxious or no matter, and I deserve all the pieces I get. There’s a purpose why I reacted that means is because of how I used to be being handled. I wasn’t actively going out and hating, berating, and name-calling individuals on the desk, I used to be solely reacting to how I used to be being handled by all of the gamers, and the employees, the officers, and even the match director of the Principal Occasion.”
One factor Kassouf stated he grew annoyed with was conflicting rulings by match employees.
“They positively might’ve dealt with it so much higher,” he stated. “Might have introduced in warnings earlier on – one hand penalties, three hand penalties – whereas I wasn’t given any of these warnings, not one hand, not three arms, it was on the spot one spherical penalty on Day 7 after I was sitting with 10 large blinds … after which to place me on a 10-second shot clock from Day 6 after dinner break for the remainder of the match, that’s what I used to be advised, and I needed to combat arduous to get that taken off on the finish of Day 6 for the beginning of Day 7.”
Kassouf continued: “They stated I’d be handled as a brand new participant initially of Day 7, given two minutes to behave to my hand, if somebody calls a clock, I’ve 30 seconds to decide identical to all people else. We obtained to Day 7, and one of many guys there on my left introduced to the desk, ‘Hey guys, if you need flooring to come back over, you’ll be able to name the clock on this man everytime you need, it doesn’t must be 10 seconds.’ I hadn’t even performed a hand on Day 7, and this particular person is saying the way it’s going to be from the beginning, truly making an attempt to collude and gang up in opposition to me to attempt to name the clock although it is unreasonable.”
On this occasion, Kassouf claimed a clock was referred to as straightaway, and the ground enforced a 10-second clock, regardless of him explaining that he was advised the night time earlier than he was advised he’d be handled as a brand new participant. What’s extra, Kassouf stated that he felt threatened by the participant in Seat 1 – which, in accordance with the Day 7 seat draw, was poker professional Nick Pupillo – who Kassouf alleges stated he’d “minimize your tongue out.” What’s extra, Kassouf stated he took exception and felt ganged up on when nobody supported him when he complained to the ground.
Was He on Medication? Was It a Psychological Well being Episode?
One clarification for Kassouf’s conduct through the 2025 WSOP Principal Occasion, at the very least one fashionable on social media, was that he was both on medication or experiencing some form of psychological well being episode. Kassouf is conscious of such theories, however denies them each.
“No medication by any means … Simply me. I’m naturally filled with power. Perhaps I’m simply constructed totally different.”
“No medication by any means … Simply me. I’m naturally filled with power. Perhaps I’m simply constructed totally different. I can operate on two hours of sleep,” Kassouf stated whereas additionally suggesting he was of sound thoughts throughout his run.
The Donald Trump of Poker
When requested how he thought he was perceived within the poker world, Kassouf stated that he was effectively conscious that he had each supporters and haters, even likening it to the present American political panorama, the place there are arduous sides between Democrats and Republicans.
“With me, I feel I’m a bit just like the Donald Trump of poker,” Kassouf self-proclaimed. “I’m controversial, polarizing, and chaotic, however I converse my thoughts and I get shit completed. That’s the underside line and that’s what counts, proper? … Some individuals love me, some individuals hate me. Some individuals would like to be handcuffed to me for $250K, some individuals wouldn’t even do it for $2 million. I’ve that form of impact on individuals.”
Did He Tip & The place Do Issues Stand Now?
One query Kassouf was requested was whether or not or not he tipped on the $300,000 he received.
“The girl requested, ‘Would you want to depart a tip, sir?’ She realized when she noticed the police and safety behind me that one thing was up right here, proper, so I might’ve been impolite and stated, ‘I’ll offer you a tip, right here’s a tip,” and say one thing, however I assumed no, she’s simply doing her job. I stated, ‘Sadly, because of the best way I’ve been handled this 12 months, sadly I received’t be tipping this 12 months. Sorry about that.’”
Previous to amassing his winnings in money, Kassouf was knowledgeable that he couldn’t play “anymore WSOP occasions this 12 months.” However what did that imply? Was it for the remaining 5 days of the 2025 WSOP, or did it imply by means of the tip of the 12 months, so no WSOP Circuit stops nor December’s WSOP Paradise?
‘People Cannot Take It’ – Penalized Will Kassouf Pleads Case at WSOP
Kassouf was allowed to stay on the Paris & Horseshoe, given he was staying on the lodge, although he was not allowed on the WSOP gaming flooring. Since then, he sought clarification from WSOP officers that he’s allowed at WSOP stops, such because the upcoming WSOP Paradise, and Kassouf truly made an look on the current WSOP Circuit Bratislava.
Nevertheless, what he’s undecided of is whether or not or not he’s allowed at Caesar’s properties, which, if not, would imply he wouldn’t be capable to attend the 2026 WSOP subsequent summer season. Kassouf hopes to hunt clarification on that matter quickly.
Kassouf’s Legacy
Whereas on the WPT Cyprus Championship, Kassouf was dialed again significantly from the final time the poker world noticed him one month in the past. Over the course of three days, he grinded quietly whereas nonetheless participating his tablemates together with his patented desk speak. When polled, his desk truly all agreed that they loved enjoying with Kassouf.
“The very fact I’m speaking in a hand creates a enjoyable ambiance,” Kassouf stated of enjoying on this a part of the world. “You’re right here to play dwell poker, you’re enjoying for eight, 9, ten hours a day, sitting with the identical faces. If everybody sat there like a bunch of nits with their headphones, hoodies, and sun shades on, stated nothing for like 8-12 hours a day, like within the Principal Occasion for 12 hours, it might be so boring.”
As for his future in poker, Kassouf merely referenced one of many sport’s all-time greats.
“Daniel Negreanu as soon as stated on his podcast, the factor about Will Kassouf is whether or not you want him or dislike him, you speak about him, so he stays related, and staying related in poker is likely one of the hardest issues to do long run.”
You possibly can hearken to Kassouf’s look on the PokerNews Podcast on all main podcasting platforms or through the participant under:
Chad Holloway
PR & Media Supervisor
