The World Series of Poker In Las Vegas, the tournament is in full swing, with the highly anticipated $10,000 Main Event scheduled to begin on July 3. This series attracts thousands of competitors daily from across the globe; with such a crowd, it's inevitable that some extraordinary happenings occur.
The sheer number of attendees sometimes results in captivating scenarios, which can stem from various factors like heightened stress levels, the influence of alcohol or other substances, negative behaviors, clashing temperaments, and a host of other captivating incidents.
Let’s take a brief look at some of the most bizarre occurrences in WSOP history.
1 – Throwing Shoes & Dropping Pants
Typically, when players are eliminated from a tournament, they simply push in their chairs and leave the gaming area. Although there might be some complaints about bad beats, most players graciously move on.
However, in 2019, one player chose to react quite differently.
After being knocked out of a WSOP event, this individual expressed his frustration in a rather outlandish manner—by dropping his pants in front of everyone and hurling shoes at the dealer. This was no ordinary grievance. strip poker game!
It seems this player went all-in without bothering to check his cards first. When he saw the community cards laid out, he uncovered some displeasure and decided to make a spectacle of himself.
Card Player magazine Reports indicated that he also jumped onto a craps table at a different Las Vegas casino, once again disrobing.
This time, he was taken into custody, bringing an end to his outrageous gambling antics.
2 – Too Much Table Talk?
Back in 2016, William Kassouf took 'speech play' to a new level at the WSOP, as he was unable to go a moment without talking, much to the annoyance of his fellow players.
Kassouf didn't shy away from arguing with dealers and staff either; his constant chatter sometimes created tense situations. poker hand below.
He claimed his distinctive playstyle was a part of his strategy, aiming to unsettle opponents and force them into making mistakes.
Perhaps he also enjoyed the spotlight it brought him?
Kassouf ultimately finished in 17th place in 2016, earning $338,288, and has accumulated over $1.6 million in earnings from live tournaments.
In 2018, he found himself in hot water for reportedly concealing £100 chips while playing roulette at Grosvenor Casino. As a result, his sponsorship was revoked and he was banned from all venues associated with the brand.
Kassouf remains a polarizing figure in the poker community.
3 – War of Words
During the 2006 WSOP Main Event, Eric Molina stirred things up with his bold and audacious conduct. At just 21, his actions included heated discussions with the future champion Jamie Gold.
- “If someone tries to interfere with my play, they should prepare for the consequences,” he stated in an ESPN interview. “I refuse to let anyone sway my focus. I have a goal to achieve.”
- Angry outbursts
- Moments of braggadocio
- Criticism of other players
- The occasional cursing
Molina's knack for confrontation earned him the label of 'jerk' from one player. He even called an opponent's all-in bet without even glancing at his cards.
In another memorable moment, he flicked his lucky chip at Gold, who quickly retaliated. poker board Chris Ferguson became infamous in the poker world following the downfall of the online poker site he once led back in 2011. Many players found themselves unable to access their funds on Full Tilt Poker for extended periods, leading to financial uncertainty, which U.S. officials labeled as a 'Ponzi scheme.'
4 – Full Tilt Fiasco
Ferguson faced the wrath of furious players, who expressed their discontent towards the 2000 WSOP Main Event champion and six-time bracelet holder. He seemingly took a break from the series between 2011 and 2015 but made a return in 2016.
His reappearance met with mixed reactions, with many players conveying their displeasure online.
One tweet humorously suggested, 'Chris \"Jesus\" Ferguson tried to enter earlier, but we joked he’d need to tip $444 million for entry. Sadly, he only had a third of that amount.'
Despite stirring up controversy, Ferguson managed to achieve significant finishes, including winning a bracelet at the 2017 WSOP Europe and several spots at final tables.
— WSOP Valet (@WSOPvalet) June 5, 2016
When asked if he intended to apologize to the poker community, Ferguson replied, 'What do you mean?'
His return certainly contributed to some awkward interactions at the poker tables.
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) July 1, 2016
The pandemic presented significant hurdles for the entire casino industry, including the WSOP. From June to September, the majority of the series transitioned to online platforms, with bracelets awarded to players both in the U.S. and internationally.
5 – Pandemic Main Event
The only event held live was the major $10,000 Main Event, which was postponed until November 29.
In lieu of traditional in-person gameplay, competitors faced off online, with international players hoping to reach a live final table scheduled for December 15 in King’s Casino in Rozvadov, Czech Republic. world poker tournament American players initiated their online rounds on December 13, with the live final showdown taking place on December 28.
The champions from both final tables met on January 3, 2021, for a heads-up duel to determine the winner of the 2020 Main Event and to claim an additional $1 million.
Ultimately, at the international final table, Argentina's Damian Salas triumphed over a field of 674 entries, resulting in a $6.5 million prize pool and securing the top prize of $1.6 million.
At the U.S. final table, Louisiana’s Joseph Heber emerged victorious among 705 participants, leading to a total prize pool of $6.8 million and also earning $1.6 million.
- Top 6 Unbelievable WSOP Moments! Pandemic Main Event
- In the end, Salas not only claimed the coveted gold bracelet but also an extra million dollars. While the Main Event underwent significant changes, Salas expressed satisfaction with the outcome, acknowledging the challenges faced during the head-to-head matchup.
Phil Hellmuth is known for his striking entrances at the WSOP Main Event. His spectacles have varied from dressing as Julius Caesar to taking on the persona of a superhero, a wizard, and other characters.
While some players and fans appreciate such flamboyance, others are less than thrilled by it.
6 – Phil Hellmuth Race Car Wreck
In 2008, the so-called 'Poker Brat' attempted to promote a now-defunct online poker platform by driving a race car. He was slated to complete a few laps around the parking lot at the Rio, but things took an unexpected turn.
Instead, Hellmuth crashed straight into a concrete pillar. Although he emerged unscathed, he felt a wave of embarrassment over his driving performance.
Sean Chaffin, a freelance writer based in Ruidoso, New Mexico, covers poker, gambling, and the casino industry, among other topics. You can follow him on Twitter at @PokerTraditions or contact him at seanchaffin@sbcglobal.net.
888poker-EGR-logo-Mobile-Header-2021-white