Daniel Negreanu Weighs in on Main Event ‘Laptop’ Controversy

Controversy has erupted over Jonathan Tamayo’s incredible $10million WSOP Main Event with claims that his running to the rail between hands to receive potential GTO advice was against the rules. Daniel Negreanu was among those to question Tamayo’s actions…

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Nitsche (with laptop), McKeehen and Jonathan Tamayo (courtesy of WSOP)

Those watching the final table were surprised to find Tamayo rushing to the rail between hands to consult 2015 champ Joe McKeehen and Dominik Nitsche, the latter the founder of DTO Poker.

GTO exploits, Sims or…?

Nitsche was consulting a laptop throughout the evening, sparking discussion that he was feeding best lines of play between hands to Tamayo to help him exploit his opponents.

That, as Daniel Negreanu and many others pointed out, seemed to be against the rules.

“I was under the impression that it was already against the rules this year. Cannot reference solvers or charts during play, only on breaks outside the tournament area,” tweeted DNegs.

He added: “Based on my understanding of the rule, looking at solvers or charts in between hands isn’t allowed. Someone else running solves in game and then telling you in between hands… also should not be allowed.”

Nitsche Unrepentant in Face of Criticism

Nitsche claimed on Twitter that his help didn’t involve running Sims during play, although admitting he worked with Tamayo and DTO “for 3 handed and FT prep.”

Although nobody at the table appeared to complain about Tamayo’s constant rail runs for help, plenty watching on found it at the very least against the spirit of the game.

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Nitsche and Tamayo consult laptop (courtesy of WSOP)

Particularly after Nitsche, a polarizing figure in the game, came across as completely unrepentant.

That led to a bad taste exchange, the German pro tweeting: “acting like an absolute clown on stream to get whale action in private games isn’t exactly anyone’s definition of “spirit of the game” either. I prefer competing over sucking up to rich guys.”

Poker World Mostly Unimpressed

Poker Fraud Alert founder Todd Witteles also weighed in: “Since the present rules allow it, this wasn’t cheating.”

Witteles added: “However, it’s a bad look, and against the spirit of live poker, especially at the most high profile event of the year. @WSOP needs to change this rule ASAP and ban the usage of solvers on the rail.”

Poker Hall of Famer Kathy Liebert was another who wasn’t impressed by Nitsche’s ‘win at all costs and sod everyone else’ approach, and had a few choice words for Joe McKeehen too…

However, as Patrick Leonard pointed out, it wasn’t the first time such behaviour had been witnessed at the final table of the poker world’s biggest event.

As Faraz Jaka pointed out, though, this was the first year that the rules explicitly stated no solvers in the tournament area, although the announcement Negreanu mentioned seemed at odds with some of the posted rules.

Doubtless the debate will rage on, but please let us know in the comments/social media your view on whether such help should be allowed or banned completely.

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Professional Poker Journalist
An avid poker player, he dreams of one day playing the WSOP Main Event and has promised himself he will fold aces and kings if he gets them on the first hand to avoid front-page headlines.
Filed Under: WSOP 2024 Poker Gossip Live Poker News Poker News

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