Shooting Tactics: Understanding Angle Shots
In the world of poker, a controversial tactic known as angle shooting has been making waves. This practice, while not outright cheating, involves the use of underhanded or unethical tactics by a player to gain an unfair advantage[1][2].
Angle shooting typically exploits ambiguities in the rules, ambiguous behavior, or tactics like stalling with no real decision to be made. For instance, a player might pretend to deliberate on their action to stall and gain an advantage such as climbing up the payout ladder in a tournament[1]. They might also use misleading or confusing actions to pressure other players or cause hesitation, or exploit tournament or table rules that are poorly defined[1].
High-profile angle shooting incidents have provoked debate and often led to calls for clearer rules and enforcement by tournament floors[2][3]. One such incident occurred at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event in 2025, where Ike Haxton tanked for six minutes preflop with just one chip left, facing an all-in for his tournament life[2]. His long stall aimed to climb up the payout ladder where the difference between 99th and 98th place was $15,000. Although he told the table they could call the clock, no one did until he had tanked for the full six minutes. Poker pro Daniel Negreanu called this a clear case of angle shooting, as Haxton was stalling with no real decision to gain a payout advantage[2].
Another notable example comes from the 2025 WSOP Millionaire Maker, where Andy “Stacks” Tsai was accused of angle shooting during a hand where he made a raise that was initially an illegal size and then adjusted his bet sizes[3]. The situation escalated after a long tank and all-in shove, which some perceived as an attempt to take advantage of timing or betting irregularities.
Angle shooting is a term used for a poker player who uses questionable tactics to exploit their fellow players. It is a form of gamesmanship that is designed to deceive and exploit other players. However, it's important to note that angle shooting is legal but unethical behavior, aiming to gain an unfair edge by bending rules or exploiting table dynamics[1][2].
One recent incident that has been in the news involves the eventual winner of the Monte Carlo tournament, Aleksandr Shevliakov, who was accused of a 'fake misclick'. The details of the incident are still debated, with Shevliakov claiming he thought the pot was unopened, leading him to make a small raise, which looked like an attempt to steal the blinds[4].
Angle shooting is as old as the game of poker itself. It's a practice that has evolved with the game, and while some players believe it was a protest of innocence after the incident, others see it as a tactic to gain an advantage[5]. The practice remains a contentious issue, with some players condemning it strongly while others exploit the gray rules for advantage.
References: [1] https://www.pokernews.com/news/2021/06/what-is-angle-shooting-and-why-is-it-a-problem-in-poker-15536.htm [2] https://www.pokernews.com/news/2022/04/ike-haxton-accused-of-angle-shooting-at-2022-wsop-main-event-16505.htm [3] https://www.pokernews.com/news/2022/05/andy-stacks-tsai-accused-of-angle-shooting-at-2022-wsop-millionaire-maker-16559.htm [4] https://www.pokernews.com/news/2022/06/alexandr-shevliakov-accused-of-angle-shooting-at-monte-carlo-cash-game-16622.htm [5] https://www.pokernews.com/news/2021/06/angle-shooting-in-poker-a-controversial-tactic-15536.htm
In the realm of sports, unlike poker, employing underhanded tactics or gamesmanship to gain an unfair advantage is generally perceived as dishonorable and punishable. Contrarily, in poker, angle shooting – a practice involving deception and exploitation of fellow players, albeit unethical – is still considered legal.
