❗Irish poker figures @dklappin and @daraokearney have ended their partnership with @wptglobal following the brands signing of controversial poker player Tony Lin. Thoughts on this signing and the fallout that is following?
The guy ended his career as a high profile poker pro the moment he decided to cheat, I'm surprised WPT are willing to sully their brand by associating with him and not surprised by the reaction of those two at all, integrity is key.
I think 888 ambassador, Ian Simpson summed it up perfectly:
"Every good gambler knows that their integrity has to be inviolable. Without trust, no one will place a bet with you.
poker sites, in my opinion, should hire players who follow this axiom. Trustworthy ambassadors help make a company look trustworthy in turn and, when so many scandals have sullied pokers reputation over the past 3 decades, building trust is tantamount to success.
However, these ideas seem to have been put on the back burner favour of getting clicks.
I can only think of one reason why such a prestigious brand as WPT would hire someone who was caught cheating just a couple of months ago, and that reason is clicks. Clicks on social media tick someone’s KPI’s, and some higher up thinks that’s a good job done.
Unfortunately, they aren’t thinking about gamblers and their mindsets. It doesn’t matter if the bet is $1, or $10,000. The gambler wants the bet to be fair. And hiring someone who cheated tells the consumers that cheating isn’t something they’re taking seriously."
"Every good gambler knows that their integrity has to be inviolable. Without trust, no one will place a bet with you.
poker sites, in my opinion, should hire players who follow this axiom. Trustworthy ambassadors help make a company look trustworthy in turn and, when so many scandals have sullied pokers reputation over the past 3 decades, building trust is tantamount to success.
However, these ideas seem to have been put on the back burner favour of getting clicks.
I can only think of one reason why such a prestigious brand as WPT would hire someone who was caught cheating just a couple of months ago, and that reason is clicks. Clicks on social media tick someone’s KPI’s, and some higher up thinks that’s a good job done.
Unfortunately, they aren’t thinking about gamblers and their mindsets. It doesn’t matter if the bet is $1, or $10,000. The gambler wants the bet to be fair. And hiring someone who cheated tells the consumers that cheating isn’t something they’re taking seriously."
From Tony Lin’s perspective, this signing makes sense. After being suspended by GGPoker for assisting another player during an online tournament, his options within major platforms were obviously reduced. For WPT Global, it also seems like a strategic move, especially if their goal is to strengthen their presence in the Asian market by signing a well known and polarizing figure.
That said, I think the fallout has been a bit exaggerated. What Tony Lin did was clearly against the rules, and the punishment was justified, but it doesn’t automatically make him a bad person or someone acting with malicious intent. From what is publicly known, he helped a friend without seeking any personal gain, which is very different from organized cheating or collusion for profit.
I respect the decision of other poker figures to step away if it conflicts with their personal values, but I don’t fully agree with portraying the situation as unforgivable. The poker community should be firm about rules while also allowing room for proportional consequences and second chances.
That said, I think the fallout has been a bit exaggerated. What Tony Lin did was clearly against the rules, and the punishment was justified, but it doesn’t automatically make him a bad person or someone acting with malicious intent. From what is publicly known, he helped a friend without seeking any personal gain, which is very different from organized cheating or collusion for profit.
I respect the decision of other poker figures to step away if it conflicts with their personal values, but I don’t fully agree with portraying the situation as unforgivable. The poker community should be firm about rules while also allowing room for proportional consequences and second chances.
2nd & 3rd & 4th... Especially if it's for monetary gain.Jyco said:
I personally disagree... especially when it concerns the integrity of a brand (wsop, WPT, etc.) or poker room. Integrity, trustworthiness, transparency, fairness... these are things that should be paramount!!
I'm not interested in playing on a site where they not only forgive a cheater but they actually promote their site with him.
And now I think I'll go out & purchase the rest of Dara's books... even if I never actually read them.
The poker community always talks about wanting to grow and having another poker boom......then in the next min they sponsor and allow cheating human trash back in the door to play. You're never going to attract the avg joe, grow poker and have another poker boom by doing this. Bunch morons with no clue who are only hurting poker. Poker especially online has enough issues attracting the avg person yet poker just keeps chopping itself off at the knees every chance they get.
Cheers!!!
Cheers!!!
