{"id":323,"date":"2025-06-26T20:48:38","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T20:48:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pabloblaqk.com\/?p=323"},"modified":"2025-07-01T15:51:16","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T15:51:16","slug":"wsop-investigating-alleged-collusion-during-millionaire-maker-heads-up-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.pabloblaqk.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/26\/wsop-investigating-alleged-collusion-during-millionaire-maker-heads-up-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"WSOP Investigating Alleged Collusion During Millionaire Maker Heads-Up Competition"},"content":{"rendered":"

The post WSOP Investigating Alleged Collusion During Millionaire Maker Heads-Up Competition<\/a> appeared first on Vegas Slots Online News<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Payouts, bracelet temporarily withheld<\/h2>\n

The World Series of Poker has opened an investigation into Wednesday\u2019s heads-up match at the end of the $1,500 Millionaire Maker event amid concerns of possible collusion between the winner, Jesse Yaginuma, and the second-place finisher, James Carroll. Their payouts \u2013 about $1.2m and $1m, respectively \u2013 plus the gold bracelet have yet to be awarded.<\/p>\n

After about half a day of speculation about how the event concluded, the WSOP published a statement announcing the probe:<\/p>\n

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Last night, we were made aware of a potential breach of the official WSOP Tournament Rules during heads up play in Event 53. An investigation is underway. At this time, 1st and 2nd place have not been confirmed and neither the prize money nor the bracelet have been officially\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 WSOP \u2013 World Series of Poker (@WSOP) June 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Until the announcement, any talk about collusion was pure speculation, but now that the WSOP is officially investigating, the allegations could have some legs. Of course, it all remains to be seen.<\/p>\n

Odd play, million-dollar incentive<\/h2>\n

There were two things going on during the heads-up match that have raised eyebrows in some circles. The first is the play itself. Carroll had a 10-to-1 chip lead going into heads-up, and that gap widened significantly. Yet after a double-up to keep himself alive, Yaginuma played flawlessly and was able to mount a stunning comeback without risking all of his chips.<\/p>\n

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believe that Carroll was intentionally dumping chips to Yaginuma, allowing him to win<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In addition to Yaginuma\u2019s perfect reads, many viewers felt Carroll made loads of head-scratching plays, just a curious juxtaposition of great play by one person and questionable play by the other. Though that simply raised the eyebrows of many fans, others who watched closely believe that Carroll was intentionally dumping chips to Yaginuma, allowing him to win.<\/p>\n

The loudest voice was that of ACR Pro Rob Kuhn, who posted a thread of screenshots on X that showed, in his opinion, a clear pattern of signaling. Kuhn believes that if Carroll had a weak holding or was bluffing, he would bet an odd multiple of a million. If he had a strong hand, he would wager an even multiple. Though he didn\u2019t know the exact hand his opponent had, Yaginuma would generally make perfect raise and fold decisions thanks to Caroll\u2019s indicators.<\/p>\n

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Wtf am I watching in the milly maker?<\/p>\n

If Yagimuna wins he wins an extra 1million from the golden pass<\/p>\n

Carroll went from playing great to looking like he’s chip dumping to Yaginuma<\/p>\n

This is a wild watch pic.twitter.com\/WxqNXtBTOw<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Rob Kuhn (@RobKuhn_) June 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

The second factor is one that would give the two men a reason to collude heads-up. Yaginuma had won a promotion through ClubWPT Gold that would award him $1m should he win one of a selection of WSOP tournaments. The Millionaire Maker was one of the events that counted in the promo, so not only would a bracelet victory earn Yaginuma $1.2m, but ClubWPT Gold would throw another million on top of it.<\/p>\n

Those who are suspicious of collusion believe that the two players made a deal to guarantee a Yaginuma win and then split the extra million. But again, this is all alleged and is why the WSOP is conducting its investigation.<\/p>\n

Poker world\u2019s reaction<\/h2>\n

Opinions in the poker world are mixed on the controversy. Some people question whether or not the alleged collusion even matters or is technically against the rules. Collusion, which includes chip dumping, is defined by the official WSOP rulebook<\/a> as: \u201c\u2026.any agreement between or among two (2) or more Participants to engage in illegal or unethical acts against other Participants.\u201d<\/p>\n

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no other participants were affected<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

As this was a heads-up competition, no other participants were affected, and thus any actions by the two players might not have necessarily violated any rules. Of course, it would affect ClubWPT Gold, but that\u2019s a different argument.<\/p>\n

Others, naturally, have little sympathy for those who intentionally break the rules and are therefore happy that the WSOP is at least looking into it.<\/p>\n

The biggest critics of the WSOP withholding the payouts are those who view alleged collusion as simply a way for the players to facilitate a deal. Deals are common at final tables of big tournaments, but the tricky part here is that the WSOP does not officially sanction them. Thus, it is up to the players to make their own arrangements. Poker pro Matt Berkey had some particularly strong words for the WSOP:<\/p>\n

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Not paying them would be the dumbest PR move imaginable. This is hardly the first time in WSOP history a chop has been privately facilitated in this manner & not paying is just a spiteful attempt at saving face from the embarrassment brought on by the WPT free roll. Truly insane\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/1z2j2Yr1f9<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Matt Berkey (@berkey11) June 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Others, like Bart Hanson and former WSOP Main Event champ Joe Cada, agree with Berkey that the players should be paid, but they also want the WSOP to investigate play prior to heads-up, just in case.<\/p>\n

Poker Hall of Fame nominee Scott Seiver was even more critical of the WSOP and anyone who sides with it, seeing it as a David vs. Goliath scenario:<\/p>\n

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Tonight is an extremely telling night in the poker world for who sides with a multi billion dollar private equity firm over and individual just trying to play some cards. Anyone choosing wrongly can be easily ignored from now until eternity about all things<\/p>\n

\u2014 Scott Seiver (@scott_seiver) June 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

The World Poker Tour, which owns ClubWPT, doesn\u2019t seem too concerned about giving away $1m, regardless of how it happened:<\/p>\n

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what happened last night?<\/p>\n

\u2014 World Poker Tour (@WPT) June 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

The post WSOP Investigating Alleged Collusion During Millionaire Maker Heads-Up Competition<\/a> appeared first on Vegas Slots Online News<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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