Welcome back to the card table, reader! If you follow our blog, you should recall our previous foray into the topic of cheating in poker. If not, here you’ll find our first glance at this subject, where we digest the Absolute Poker & Ultimate Bet story.
Meanwhile, in this second shuffle of the deck, we’re diving even deeper, casting the spotlight on other controversial stories you might find intriguing – including the god run of Mike Postle, the alleged high-stakes stable of Bryn Kenney, and one of the most bizarre hand played in televised poker by Robbi Lew.
Ready to uncover more tales, twists, and turns? Let’s pick up right where we left off.
Mike Postle: the modern maverick or a mere mirage?
Oh, Mike Postle. Unless you’re a newcomer to the poker world, you must have heard about this controversial figure. Let’s dive a tad deeper.
Back in 2019, the poker circuit was abuzz with whispers. Mike, a regular at the Stones Gambling Hall in California, was on a seemingly unstoppable winning streak in a series of live-streamed cash games. During his appearances on the live stream, he made correct, yet unorthodox, plays with absurdly high accuracy. Dubious lines, including bet/shoving 96o on 64KAA or notorious “bluffing” with the best hands, were chosen by Mike every session he was in. Unsurprisingly, it did not take long for other poker players to become suspicious of Postle’s stellar results.
Now, everyone loves a good Cinderella story, but the poker community, with their sharp instincts, smelled a rat. What was up with his continuous good fortune? Was Lady Luck perpetually sitting on his shoulder, or was something amiss?
Turns out, many believed it was the latter. Suspicions arose that Mike had an ace up his sleeve – figuratively, of course. Accusations flew that he was possibly getting information about his opponents’ hole cards during the games. Although the court case against him was dismissed due to legal technicalities, the smoke around this fire has never really cleared, and Mike Postle disappeared from the poker rooms, relieving his potential opponents.
Bryn Kenney: poker genius amidst controversial allegations
Bryn Kenney is undoubtedly an outstanding poker player and, at the same time, a prominent figure in the poker world. That, however, did not prevent him from being embroiled in controversy over allegations of cheating.
In early 2022, Martin Zamani presented information suggesting that Kenney may have been involved in, and at times encouraged, ghosting and multi-accounting practices within his poker circle. Telegram text messages exchanged over three years between Kenney and another established poker professional, George Wolff, serve as the crux of these allegations.
Moreover, Zamani had laid heavy allegations against Kenney in Doug Polk’s podcast, accusing Bryn of having managed an online poker cheating operation. Kenney denied alleged involvement in such practices, claiming that Zamani blackmailed him in the past and still owes him money. What happened in the high-stakes poker community back in the day?
The poker community did not receive a clear resolution, but this story shed light on the darker underbelly of the professional poker world. While it is unclear whether Kenney committed any wrongdoing, his case definitely brought more attention to potential collusion at high-stakes.
Robbi Jade Lew: a controversial hand and the ensuing investigation
Amid the flickering lights and intense poker faces, a high-stakes hand at “Hustler Casino Live,” played in September 2022, opened Pandora’s box of allegations and scrutiny for Robbi Jade Lew. The hand that saw Lew win a staggering $269,000 pot against renowned poker professional Garrett Adelstein has since been mired in controversy.
Lew, a relatively green face in the high-stakes poker scene, took what many deemed an unorthodox approach to the hand, culminating in her calling Adelstein’s significant all-in bet with just a jack high. This surprising play immediately ignited suspicion, with Adelstein alleging potential collusion between Lew and others, both players and production staff, to cheat. Lew has firmly denied these claims.
The poker community, insatiable in its quest for the truth, went into overdrive. The video of the hand, now colloquially known as the J4 hand (named for Lew’s jack of clubs and four of hearts cards), exploded online. It was scrutinized, dissected, and debated ad nauseam – was Lew a cheater or simply an inexperienced player with a lucky break?
Well, you can see it for yourself:
High Stakes Poker Productions, the entity behind “Hustler Casino Live”, spurred into action, initiating an exhaustive investigation into the incident. The subsequent report, released recently, while confirming no concrete evidence of cheating, did acknowledge potential vulnerabilities in the show’s production setup, which could have facilitated unfair play.
Since there was no reliable proof of her breaking the rules, it seems like it was just a bizarre move that, due to the circumstances, turned into the most memorable hands of the decade.
Black Friday: the crisis and resurgence of online poker
Cheating or not, neither of the cases we’ve covered above was as impactful as the Full Tilt Poker scandal.
The evolution of the poker landscape, especially in the online realm, cannot be recounted without addressing this pivotal moment of 2011, nowadays known as “Black Friday”. On April 15 of that year, the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed indictments against the three largest online poker websites in the United States – PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and Absolute Poker. These sites faced charges of bank fraud, illegal gambling offenses, and money laundering, rocking the poker community to its core. The aftermath was swift and devastating: Full Tilt Poker, once a dominant force in the industry, was revealed to be insolvent, owing players around $400 million. Essentially, Black Friday was the day online poker died in the U.S.
The site’s inability to repay its players significantly blew many’s trust in online poker platforms. However, after quite some time, the silver lining appeared. In 2012, PokerStars stepped in and agreed to repay the Full Tilt players as part of its own settlement with the U.S. government, which it did in the following years.
This unprecedented move was a testament to PokerStars’ commitment to the community and signaled the beginning of a new era in online poker. Regulatory frameworks tightened, new and more trustworthy platforms emerged, and the industry underwent a rigorous transformation. With lessons learned from Black Friday, the poker world has since emphasized the importance of player security, transparency, and compliance with legal standards.
The poker community does not get discouraged easily
In light of the many controversies surrounding poker events, it’s essential to remember that the world of poker, both online and in person, remains vibrant and lucrative. Online poker platforms continue to offer enthusiasts ample opportunities to win substantial amounts, providing novices and professionals a platform to hone their skills and strategies.
Meanwhile, with its unmistakable atmosphere and real-time dynamics, the live poker scene remains robust, drawing players from all corners of the globe. As with any sphere of life, challenges arise, but the essence and allure of poker, whether played behind a screen or on the felt, endures. You can also take advantage of that, as there’s still a lot of money to be won at poker, and Smart Spin’s players are living proof of that. You can find out about it yourself, check out our offer, and join the community of hundreds of winning players!