Kassouf parla al dibattito WSOP: "Le mie azioni sono state in risposta al trattamento ricevuto"
Nel mondo del poker ad alto rischio, Will Kassouf si è fatto un nome come figura controversa. Lo scorso anno, durante il Main Event delle World Series of Poker (WSOP), Kassouf si è trovato al centro di un episodio conteso, che ha coinvolto sentenze contrastanti degli ufficiali del torneo, interazioni animate con i giocatori e il personale, e alla fine un bando per comportamento scorretto[1][2][4].
L'incidente è iniziato con Kassouf che esprimeva frustrazione per le penalità inconsistenti e le azioni di enforcement improvvisamente, come una penalità di round istantanea senza avvertimenti precedenti e un controverso orologio da 10 secondi imposto durante il torneo[1][2][4]. Questi azioni, Kassouf ha sostenuto, erano una reazione alle provocazioni piuttosto che iniziative di comportamento scorretto.
La situazione è peggiorata, portando al bando di Kassouf dal resto della serie WSOP dopo la sua eliminazione dal Main Event. Si tratta del primo caso in cui un giocatore ha ricevuto un bando di un anno alle WSOP per un simile comportamento[2][3][5]. Il bando è stato accolto con critiche da giocatori, commentatori e ufficiali, che hanno suggerito fallimenti sistemici nell'applicazione e nella coerenza[3].
Despite the ban, Kassouf is not letting it slow him down. He is currently participating in the World Poker Tour (WPT) Cyprus Championship, a keystone event in the $5 Million GTD Festival at the Chamada Prestige Hotel & Casino[6]. It remains unclear whether Kassouf is allowed at Caesar's properties, which would mean he wouldn't be able to attend the 2026 WSOP next summer.
Kassouf's behaviour during the WSOP Main Event was a reaction to how he felt he was being treated by players, tournament staff, and officials. He compared himself to Donald Trump of poker, citing his controversial, polarizing, and chaotic nature[7]. Kassouf also referenced Daniel Negreanu's statement that whether you like him or dislike him, you talk about him, implying that he stays relevant in poker[8].
Kassouf finished in 33rd place at the WSOP Main Event, claiming to have had 100% of his action for $300,000. In a surprising move, Kassouf did not tip the lady who asked him if he wanted to leave a tip after winning $300,000, citing the way he had been treated this year as the reason[9].
As for his future in poker, Kassouf seeks clarification from WSOP officials about whether he is allowed at WSOP stops, such as the upcoming WSOP Paradise. His appearance on the PokerNews Podcast is available on all major podcasting platforms, providing insights into his thoughts on the game and his plans for the future.
This episode remains a highly debated moment in poker history, illustrating tensions between player behaviour, tournament management, and enforcement of conduct rules during a high-profile event.
[1] https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/05/WSOP-Main-Event-Kassouf-Banned-for-the-Remainder-of-the-Series-68405.htm [2] https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/05/WSOP-Main-Event-Kassouf-Banned-for-the-Remainder-of-the-Series-68405.htm [3] https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/05/WSOP-Main-Event-Kassouf-Banned-for-the-Remainder-of-the-Series-68405.htm [4] https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/05/WSOP-Main-Event-Kassouf-Banned-for-the-Remainder-of-the-Series-68405.htm [5] https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/05/WSOP-Main-Event-Kassouf-Banned-for-the-Remainder-of-the-Series-68405.htm [6] https://www.worldpokertour.com/events/wpt-cyprus-championship-5000-main-event [7] https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/06/Kassouf-Compares-Himself-to-Donald-Trump-of-Poker-68513.htm [8] https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/06/Kassouf-Compares-Himself-to-Donald-Trump-of-Poker-68513.htm [9] https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/06/Kassouf-Didn-t-Tip-the-Lady-Who-Asked-Him-If-He-Wanted-to-Leave-a-Tip-After-Winning-300-000-at-the-WSOP-Main-Event-68514.htm
