From the WSOP Main Event to the online world of micro-stakes, the unpredictable game of poker has the potential to tilt even the most placid players – just ask Griffin Benger!
Naturally, we thought we should share some of these moments. So grab some popcorn, crank the volume up to eleven – or down to one when Will Kassouf makes an appearance – and brace yourself for the top five most controversial poker hands.
Shahram Sheikham vs Mike Matusow
To kick things off we’re heading back to 2005, when Shahram Sheikham tangled with Mike “The Mouth” Matusow at the WSOP Main Event. Now, with a nickname like “The Mouth” it’s safe to assume that the four-time bracelet winner isn’t the most reticent at the felt. In fact, this poker veteran has such a rambunctious tongue that one doesn’t have to delve too far into the poker archives to find his name.
However, unlike Matusow’s pervasive bickering with pro’s like Phil Hellmuth, this clip shows The Mouth’s obscenities surprisingly justified. See what you think…
Patrik Antonius vs Daniel “Jungleman” Cates
The following video is living proof that even professionals make mistakes. The hand starts with Patrik Antonius raising the pot to 2BBs with AKo under the gun. Nothing out of the ordinary so far, right? Just wait. Action folds around to Cates, in the big blind, who gives the impression he wants to push all-in, but instead proceeds to only move two towers of chips forward. When ever-present Vanessa Selbst announces that this is a string-bet, and Patrik calls, carnage ensues.
Daniel Wolf vs Alec Torelli
Poker etiquette dictates that a player’s chips should always be in view of the table. This means players should position large value chips at the front of their stacks, to avoid deceiving – or “angle-shooting” – their opponents. Doing so can encourage a player to make a decision that may have otherwise been overlooked. You can probably guess what happens in this next clip…
Moneymaker vs Pellegrino
Chris Moneymaker may have rocked the poker world with a famous win at the 2003 WSOP Main Event, however, this hasn’t made him immune to making mistakes. In this video, Moneymaker becomes frustrated that Pellegrino is taking a long time to make a river decision; however, in a comical turn of events, a stoic Pellegrino awakes from a stupor to tell Chris that he was waiting for his opponent to act! Ladies and gents, this is why you don’t wear headphones at the poker table…
Will Kassouf vs Stacy Matuson
It wouldn’t be right to talk about poker controversy without mentioning the king of speech play, Will Kassouf. The Grosvenor Sponsored Pro soared into the poker headlines after his infamous run in the 2016 WSOP Main Event, rousing debate between the game’s luminaries. In fact, ‘The Kassouf Effect’ caused such a stir that the WSOP had to alter their clock-calling rule for 2017!
While Kassouf’s show reel is robust enough to compete with most Hollywood A-listers, we’re taking you back to where it all began. Sorry, Stacy.
Do you have a favourite controversial poker hand? Let us know in the comments section, below!
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