Speech play or misconduct? Will Kassouf’s WSOP 2025 controversy
British poker player Will Kassouf was removed from the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event and banned from the tournament following a series of incidents at the table. The player was escorted out by security on Day 7 of the Main Event, which took place on 12 July, prompting his ban from the WSOP 2025. Kassouf’s exit has sparked widespread discussion within the poker community.
Kassouf, known for his controversial talking and mind games at the table, became well-known during the 2016 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. His constant chatter and wordplay got mixed reactions from players and viewers. One notable moment during that tournament involved a heated exchange argument with fellow player Stacy Matuson, which led to Kassouf being penalised for talking too much during a hand.
Incident overview during WSOP 2025
Tensions rose on Day 7 when Kassouf and WSOP Senior Vice President Jack Effel got into a verbal spat. Kassouf not only defended his approach but also asserted that the rules were not regularly enforced. He maintained that other players were not penalised for similar behaviour.
Following repeated delays in play, tournament staff imposed a 10-second shot clock on Kassouf, later extended to 30 seconds. Kassouf objected to the decision, but the penalty remained in place. Kassouf was eliminated from the 2025 WSOP Main Event after an all-in hand against chip leader Kenny Hallaert. Kassouf finished in 33rd place.
Dennis Jones, the director of the WSOP Circuit Tournament, told Kassouf that he would not be permitted to return for the rest of the series after he was eliminated and paid $200,000. He was then escorted out of the stadium by security officers. Jones subsequently affirmed the choice, stressing the significance of upholding discipline and sportsmanship during the competition.
Kassouf’s response
Following the incident, Kassouf defended his method in media appearances, calling it a purposeful psychological tactic. American audiences were less accepting of his style, he added, suggesting that cultural differences might have affected how his behavior was viewed.
Kassouf told Effel, “Americans can’t take it. There’s a method to my madness.”
Why the incident matters for the poker community
Kassouf’s removal was not the result of a single incident but rather followed multiple confrontations, penalties, and disputes with officials. Reports also noted reactions from spectators and ongoing tension at the table. The incident has raised broader questions about conduct, enforcement, and player behaviour in high-stakes poker events.
Professional players, including Daniel Negreanu and Phil Hellmuth, commented on the situation. While both acknowledged Kassouf’s impact on the game, they also expressed concern about the boundaries of acceptable conduct.
Daniel stated that Kassouf had earned the penalties with his five-minute tanks, nine-high on the river, and all the other antics, he should receive a penalty. Negreanu supported the normalisation of calling the clock and felt that the WSOP’s enforcement was warranted, remarking succinctly, “You’re guilty.”
Expert on speech play, game integrity
Christin Maschmann, an expert in the poker industry, told SiGMA News that the stricter enforcement, as seen in Kassouf’s case, helps preserve the spirit of the game or stifles player personality. She referenced Daniel Negreanu’s comments, agreeing that a firmer approach was necessary.
“He called for a much stricter way of dealing with him, saying, ‘If you say one more word, you get another orbit penalty… and another… and another’—that way you should be able to shut someone up for at least a while,” Maschmann said.
“As far as I know, people were complaining about him, so from that point, he needed to be handled more strictly. We need these characters in the game, just like Martin Kabrhel, as people are tuning in for it, and they love to watch the ‘train wrecks’ and the awkward situations. It’s better than nine robots with hoodies. However, Kabrhel managed to walk the line more effectively. Kassouf was able to do this in the past; he’s a lawyer, he knows where the lines are—but something had changed this year, and he crossed the line too often. So, much stricter handling should have taken place much earlier.”
On whether “speech play” should be considered a legitimate strategy in modern poker or if clearer guidelines are needed around verbal conduct. “Speech play is an integral part of the game, for some people more than others. The verbal conduct, in theory, is clear: you should not insult or threaten other players or staff. I don’t think this is unclear in most places,” Maschmann said.
“In my personal experience from sitting at many tables around the world, things are fine until someone says something that makes another person feel offended or threatened. That is the line. Will crossed that line multiple times during this WSOP by insulting people. That is not okay.”
“We’ve had similar incidents in the past, such as with Phil Hellmuth, where exceptions were made. I think it’s a similar situation. As long as people find it funny and nobody actually feels insulted, these things can be allowed,” she added.
Impact on WSOP’s reputation
The recent incident involving Kassouf has sparked debate among poker professionals and media commentators. Critics included prominent figures such as Cliff Josephy, the 2016 WSOP Main Event third-place finisher, cited a nine-year history of concerns regarding Kassouf’s conduct.
Warned you all 9 years ago that Kassouf, at his best, was a piece of garbage. Seems many agree now
— Cliff Josephy (@JohnnyBaxPoker)
Twitch streamer Lex Veldhuis argued in social media X (formerly Twitter) that high viewership does not justify inappropriate behaviour, while Matt Berkey, a member of PokerOrg’s 바카라er Advisory Board, the situation as predictable given previous warnings.
People that are good for poker inspire others by showing their wit, skill, competitive spirit or resilience on Tv.
— Lex Veldhuis (@LexVeldhuis)
It’s misunderstanding how content works to think that more views equals good for the game.
It’s just people curious to see assholes act like assholes.
However, some industry voices defended the entertainment value of the broadcast. Phil Hellmuth in X the tournament’s record viewership and praised the dramatic elements of the coverage. In contrast, high-stakes player Chris Brewer expressed dissatisfaction with how the WSOP managed the situation.
man I swear wsop is handling Kassouf in a way I am beginning to be on his side….. what is happening
— Chris Brewer (@Chris_D_Brewer)
According to the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) 2024 State of the States report, public disputes during major gaming events tend to increase regulatory scrutiny and affect public confidence. In addition to disrupting play on Day 7 of the Main Event, the Kassouf incident reportedly caused compliance issues for sponsors and partner platforms.
Notable poker misconduct & bans
Like Kassouf’s recent expulsion from the community Series of Poker, a number of high-profile misconduct incidents have rocked the poker community over the years. Events like Sergey Belianin’s intoxicated chip grab in 2019 and Chan Pelton’s chip theft in 2014 resulted in instant disqualifications and permanent bans. Jared Blesnick was also kicked off the show after he was involved in a violent card-ripping incident at a WSOP final table. Ken Strauss was quickly removed after shocking bystanders with his public obscenity on the same day as Belianin’s outburst.
On a larger scale, Ali Imsirovic faced industry-wide backlash after being accused of cheating both online and live, while Russ Hamilton was central to the infamous Ultimate Bet superuser scandal, which resulted in millions in stolen funds and a permanent blacklisting.
Rob Mercer’s fraudulent cancer fundraiser in 2023 took advantage of the kindness of the community to get into the WSOP, which led to platform suspensions and legal attention. In addition to highlighting the increasing need for strong enforcement, transparency, and responsible gaming regulations, these examples also underscore the operational, reputational, and regulatory concerns that poker organisers and partners confront.
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