Defending Against Accusations of Bias at WSOP 2025: Negreanu Speaks Up
World Series of Poker Implements Strict Device Ban at Final Tables
In a move aimed at maintaining the integrity of the competition, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in 2025 enforced a rigorous ban on phones and all electronic devices at the final three tables of all tournaments. This ban, which was part of new tournament rules, did not make any exceptions for high-profile professionals like Daniel Negreanu.
The strict rules require players to completely remove electronic devices from the table and prohibit their use during play. Violations could potentially lead to disqualification. The ban also forbids coaching from within the tournament room and the use of any form of electronic assistance by players or spectators.
The device ban was implemented following controversies in 2024 related to electronic assistance. Notable incidents include the Laptopgate scandal, where Jonathan Tamayo was suspected of receiving game-changing hints from a laptop in the audience.
The poker community has been engaged in heated discussions about the use of electronic devices at the table. Daniel Negreanu, a seven-time WSOP bracelet winner and two-time WSOP Player of the Year, was recently accused of violating the phone ban at the WSOP 2025. The allegations were made on social media following Negreanu's second place finish in the $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo Championship.
However, Negreanu denied the allegations, emphasizing that he had strictly followed the rules, not filmed open hands, and only used his phone during breaks. His vlogs, which are considered high-quality productions and contribute to the global popularity of the WSOP, were used to clarify his stance. In his vlogs, Negreanu emphasized that he received no special treatment and adhered to the same rules as all other players.
Despite the controversy, the ban on electronic devices at final tables receives much support on social media. A user (u/10J18R1A) even suggested making the game more like chess, with no phones, watches, laptops, or other electronic devices allowed.
The question remains of how consistently these new rules will be enforced in the future. Matt Berkey, a professional poker player, has made sarcastic remarks about potential favoritism towards Negreanu. The WSOP has not commented on these allegations.
Born in 1974 in Toronto to Romanian immigrants, Negreanu is one of the most successful poker players of all time, with over $52 million in live earnings. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2014 and has been a brand ambassador for GGPoker since 2019.
An exception exists for participants in online bracelet events, who may continue to use devices, even in critical situations. Whether this exception could threaten the integrity of the game is a concern for some.
The WSOP reserves the right to instruct players at the final three tables of a tournament to put away their phones and electronic devices at its discretion. As the poker world continues to evolve, the debate over the use of electronic devices at the table is likely to persist.
- Despite the ban on electronic devices during games, online casinos in Germany offer entertainment for poker enthusiasts who wish to play in an environment that allows the use of electronic devices, such as smartphones and laptops.
- In a nod to traditional board games, some poker enthusiasts on social media have advocated for stricter rules that would prohibit the use of electronics entirely, comparing the game to modern-day celebrities, such as Daniel Negreanu, playing sports like chess.
