According to PocketFives, there was quite the scene at WSOP.com when Mike Matusow, a professional poker player, experienced a massive meltdown following his elimination from a bracelet event. Matusow's outburst was nothing short of epic, as he not only resorted to threats of both physical and sexual assault but also mentioned the possibility of doxxing the player who knocked him out. The poker news site reported on this shocking display of anger and frustration exhibited by Matusow.
Matusow faced no consequences for this incident, shared Ty Stewart, the Executive Director of the World Series of Poker, with PocketFives.
At WSOP, we place immense importance on preventing abusive behavior during our tournaments and on the WSOP.COM platform. To ensure this, we have implemented several preventive measures online, one of which involves the recent decision to disable our chat feature altogether. However, regulating content on our customers' personal streams and social media accounts presents a challenge, as each third-party platform has its own procedures for handling escalated issues. While we do have the authority to suspend the account of any individual in the future, it seems that, in this particular case, the player herself cleverly and effectively resolved the situation with a perfect response.
In my view, Stewart's opinion resonates with me for the most part. It is indeed a risky endeavor to regulate conduct that occurs beyond the confines of the poker platform, as it presents evident dangers and potential drawbacks. Nonetheless, I hold a firm belief that WSOP.com has, on occasion, prohibited individuals solely based on their expressions made outside the realm of WSOP. This established precedent causes me to question the validity of their decision to refrain from penalizing Matusow, a four-time champion, for his utterances on external platforms.
I received a ban on the WSOP poker platform for expressing critical views.
I firmly believe that my exclusion from the WSOP platform was a direct result of my verbal expression outside of the tournament. This exclusion occurred shortly after I penned an article detailing my dissatisfaction with their customer service, particularly their delays in processing withdrawal requests and other related concerns. I want to emphasize that my critique and all subsequent communication remained completely devoid of any indecent or offensive language. The only action I threatened to take was to report the website to the appropriate authorities overseeing gaming regulations.
I was informed by WSOP customer service that I had personally asked for the prohibition. Disputing their claim, I vehemently denied ever making such a request. In response, the website resorted to the generic accusation of violating their terms and conditions, a convenient catch-all excuse that they seemed hesitant to utilize when dealing with Matusow. Subsequently, WSOP revealed their dissatisfaction with my public address and even went so far as to issue me a legal warning in connection with it.
In my view, there's a clear contradiction between Stewart's statement and the reality of my situation. It seems evident to me that my account was banned due to the enforcement of guidelines regarding the content shared on customers' personal streams and social media profiles, referred to by Stewart as a precarious path in light of what happened with Matusow. I can't envision any alternative explanation for the ban.
The Matusow decision is truly disappointing when considering the situation I found myself in, as well as another player who went through a comparable ordeal. It is important to note that Stewart, who is no longer with the company, probably had no involvement in my case or the other player's. It seems that the root of the problem lies with an employee who was known for being overly sensitive. Nevertheless, the decision sets a precedent that does not bode well for the Matusow case.
It's clear that WSOP cannot have it both ways, they must choose a stance. They must decide whether behavior outside the site is subject to punishment or not. The fact that a four-time champion is not receiving any consequences whatsoever in this case can easily be seen as a double standard.
WSOP.com had the freedom to do as it pleased.
In my opinion, I've come to realize that WSOP.com has the authority to ban a player without requiring a concrete justification. It's possible that there are longstanding rules in existence that adequately address such scenarios. My personal experience has shown me that WSOP.com can take action against a player without needing a specific rationale. It's plausible that there are already established regulations that encompass these situations and have been in effect for a considerable period. From what I've gathered, WSOP.com possesses the discretion to impose a ban on a player without necessitating any explicit grounds. There might be preexisting protocols in place, which have been operative for many years, that provide a framework for handling such circumstances.
This virtual bracelet event is similar to the traditional WSOP, but it is conducted online as a precautionary measure against the pandemic. In the 2019 edition of WSOP, Rule 40 included the following clause:
In the pursuit of fairness and the smooth operation of the WSOP Tournament, Rio holds the power to impose penalties for any action deemed by Rio, in its sole and complete judgment, as contradictory to the WSOP Official Tournament Rules or contrary to the overall well-being of the tournament.
And under Rule 51:
In accordance with the Tournament's integrity and public confidence, Rio has the sole authority to render a judgment, including imposing penalties, when faced with a situation not covered by these rules.
I strongly believe that the maintenance of integrity and public confidence in a WSOP tournament should not tolerate the actions of an individual who goes as far as doxing and threatening to rape a woman after his loss. It is highly inappropriate and goes against the principles of fair play and sportsmanship. PocketFives reports that he even resorted to harassing her on social media, using derogatory language like the c-word. Such behavior is clearly inconsistent with what is expected in a WSOP tournament and should be condemned.
It is utterly unacceptable and reprehensible to engage in behavior that involves relentlessly pursuing and intimidating a player outside the confines of a poker tournament, reminiscent of stalking someone all the way back from Rio de Janeiro just to harass them about a particular incident, all while resorting to hiring someone to locate the victim's vehicle. Such actions, no matter where they occur, are unequivocally linked to the tournament itself and should not be brushed aside. This kind of conduct has absolutely no rightful place in the world of poker or any other aspect of life, and it is imperative that we stand firm against it, refusing to tolerate such abhorrent behavior.
I later apologized for my outburst, understanding that what I did was completely in the wrong, and it was definitely the right course of action to take. It seems like my apology was well-received and accepted, which is a relief. However, it's important to note that accepting the apology doesn't absolve me completely of the consequences. It's hard to determine if there would have been a different outcome if the player hadn't accepted my apology.
The determination is reached at this location. It is anticipated that valuable insights can be gained from this experience.
Seize this chance to enhance the appeal of poker and casinos
Throughout its entire existence, the casino industry has grappled with a troubling predicament that is now laid bare in this situation. Female players, in particular, face an alarming level of mistreatment and harassment. It is utterly unacceptable for any customer, regardless of gender, to participate in a tournament only to be subjected to the heinous threats of sexual assault, doxing, and relentless misogynistic attacks on various social media platforms. Such behavior not only tarnishes the reputation of the casinos but also perpetuates a culture of toxicity that must be addressed with utmost urgency.
Regardless of the individual on the other side, the fact that Matusow was initially unaware of the player's gender holds no significance. This lack of knowledge has negative implications for both the poker community and the broader gaming industry as a whole.
Let me tell you a story about my wife and her brief encounter with gambling. You see, my wife is not really one to take risks and she had never shown any interest in games of chance. However, one day, about 12 years ago, I convinced her to give live blackjack a try. It was a game I had taught her, and I thought it would be a fun way to spend an evening. Little did we know that this seemingly harmless decision would lead to quite the unexpected outcome. As we sat at the table, my wife faced a dilemma - she held a hand totaling 12 while the dealer's upcard was a lowly 2. Following basic strategy, she made the bold move of hitting her hand. Unfortunately, luck was not on her side that day, as she busted. But here's where things took an interesting turn. The dealer, perhaps feeling sympathetic for her loss, ended up drawing a card that would have caused them to bust. In that moment, my wife unknowingly took the dealer's bust card, turning what could have been a disastrous hand into a serendipitous win. It was a remarkable stroke of luck that both surprised and delighted us. This incident taught us that sometimes, even when the odds are stacked against you, fortune may smile upon you in the most unexpected ways. And it left us with a lasting memory of the unpredictable nature of life and the thrilling moments it can bring.
The dealer did nothing as insults were hurled at her from the man at the table, who wasted no time in labeling her a bitch. With his incessant chatter, he insisted that she should vacate the table, citing her supposed lack of knowledge in playing the game, alongside a barrage of other offensive remarks.
I've encountered situations like this before, and I've learned to develop a tough exterior to deal with them. But I must admit, the constant annoyance made it impossible for me to enjoy myself. Frustrated, I made the decision to walk away from the table. The truth is, after my first experience with live blackjack, I have lost all desire to play it again. It was anything but enjoyable. Unfortunately, my story is not uncommon. Many players, particularly women, find themselves in similar situations where they are subjected to abusive behavior from fellow customers. And as a result, they choose to leave and never come back. This not only affects them but also has a negative impact on the entire gaming industry as a whole.
Creating and enforcing a code of conduct is crucial for the smooth functioning of poker tournaments, including the world-renowned WSOP. When players decide to participate in such events, it is expected that they adhere to a certain level of behavior both during and immediately after the tournament. To ensure fair play and maintain a respectful environment, it is essential to explicitly outline the consequences of abusive behavior in the tournament rules. In the case of online poker tournaments, it becomes imperative to have players agree not to engage in "doxing" or revealing personal information about other participants. Any violations of the established rules should be met with appropriate penalties. For repeat or severe offenses, resorting to a permanent ban becomes necessary in order to uphold the integrity of the game and protect the overall experience for all players involved.
Inaction is not the solution.
In the future, I anticipate an increase in the number of players experiencing such mistreatment if there are no repercussions for such conduct. The poker community ought to take a different approach, with the WSOP leading the way by establishing an effective deterrent against these actions. It is crucial that a sensible resolution be found to discourage this behavior in the future.
Kristina Mehaffey made a valuable contribution to this piece of editorial.