Allegations of cheating by a World Series of Poker (WSOP) player Martin Kabrhel at a recent tournament are rocking the world of professional poker this week. Though Kabrhel denies any wrongdoing at the event, WSOP officials have launched an official investigation and his fellow players are not holding back on social media about allegations that Kabrhel has made card-marking a critical piece of his game plan.
At the heart of the scandal are specific allegations by Dan Smith, who played at Kabrhel’s table at the Super High Roller No-Limit Hold’em event on June 18. Smith, who finished sixth in the $250,000 buy-in game, was captured on camera as exited the table telling Kabrhel, “Your antics are the worst of anyone I’ve ever played with. Good luck most of you. I hope you get barred,” according to a report in the New York Post.
Smith’s fellow WSOP players took note of the public call-out on social media and chimed in with their own thoughts on Kabrhel’s playing style. Andrew Robl didn’t hold back on Twitter saying, “He makes any tournament no fun for anyone and on top of it I’ve seen him mark cards in every tournament I’ve ever played with him.”
Though no specific allegations have been confirmed by anyone, and Kabrhel has not been charged with any crimes, the WSOP is taking the matter seriously and investigating the event. “While we do not discuss specific security protocols used to monitor players and gaming equipment, the integrity of the game remains paramount and we can assure fellow patrons that we are taking these allegations very seriously. “As this is an ongoing investigation, there is no further comment on the matter at this time,” a spokesman for the group said.
Kabrhel denies any wrongdoing in a Twitter post saying, “On behalf of yesterday situation I feel necessary to speak up. “@Andrew_Robl yesterday posted on twitter an accusation that I’m marking cards and cheating in poker tournaments. I was shocked by how quickly people took it as true, pure statement with no evidence and started media blizzard in which I am portrayed as cheater.”