Controversial Angle Shooting Incident At 2024 WSOP Main Event

Drama ensued at the 2024 World Series of Poker Main Event when one player accused another of angle shooting, leading to a penalty. The accusing player was not involved in the hand and was reportedly looking out for another non-English-speaking player at the table.

This incident again raised concerns about the ethics and fair play surrounding major poker tournaments. 

Fair Play At International Poker Tournaments

Fair play must be ensured at international poker tournaments to maintain the integrity of the game. Tournament organizers must enforce rules and employ floor personnel to monitor gameplay, address player disputes, and enforce penalties. 

All players, at all levels, must adhere to a code of conduct that includes respect for one another, good sportsmanship, and honesty. Any form of cheating or deception, including angle shooting, must be scrutinized and should result in disqualification or penalties. 

This code of conduct should also be upheld when entering online poker tournaments. The best online casinos, which include Wild Casino, Bovada, and BetWhale, all have online poker house rules that players must abide by, similar to if they were playing at a real table in a traditional casino. 

Controversy at the 2024 WSOP Main Event

The 2024 World Series of Poker Main Event marked its place in history as the largest event to date. 10,112 players attended the event, breaking the previous attendance record of 10,043 in 2023. The Paris Las Vegas and Horseshoe casinos were filled, and a pool of $94 million was accumulated. However, despite these impressive stats, it was not without incident.

The Main Event saw significant controversy involving Rayane Bouieb and the big blind. During a hand, Bouieb raised on the button, which prompted the big blind to expose his cards prematurely, seemingly indicating a fold. 

But, after Bouied folded, the big blind retracted his supposed fold, which led the floor supervisor to award him the pot. 

This decision sparked outrage from Thomas Zanot – a fellow player not involved in the hand. Zanot argued that the big blind’s actions were an instance of angle shooting. According to Zanot, the big blind picked up his cards and showed them to the button as if saying, “I don’t have a defending hand.”. He said there was no question that the big blind intended to fold.

Zanot began aggressively criticizing the big blind, which alerted security.

The Fall Out

Thomas Zanot is a notable player who has won big in the past. In January 2023, he won the $6.4 million Pai Gow Progressive jackpot at Flamingo Las Vegas and placed 12th in the $1,000 Pot-Limit Omaha 8-Handed event at the 2023 WSOP.

Zanot’s outrage at the incident led to security being called over, and he was escorted from the area. It was decided that Zanot would serve a one-round penalty after the dinner break. 

When asked what occurred, Zanot stated that he was only looking out for Bouieb, who doesn’t speak English. According to the angered player, the big blind’s actions were “very clear” and he shouldn’t have been awarded the pot. 

The Dilemma of Angle Shooting In Poker

Angle shooting is when a player uses a deceptive tactic which allows the player to gain an advantage. This tactic can include making misleading statements, intentionally misplaying a hand, or using an ambiguous rule to the player’s benefit. 

The big blind’s actions at the WSOP Main Event exemplified this behavior, which created an ethical dilemma within the poker community, as no rules were technically broken. 

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding the 2024 WSOP Main Event reminds us of the many ethical challenges surrounding poker. Even though strategic play is crucial, it must still align with the notion of fair competition. 

The poker community and gambling industry need to address these issues to preserve the integrity and enjoyment of the game.