World Series of Poker Bans A.I. & Human Help During Play

A scandal has compelled the World Series of Poker’s (WSOP) action, and its 56th tournament commenced Tuesday at the Horseshoe and Paris with a fresh set of regulations. 

The previous year’s tournament will be recalled more for poker professional Jonathan Tamayo’s Main Event win than for his glancing at a laptop that one of his coaches brought to the final table where he faced amateur Jordan Griff. 

Tamayo triumphed over Griff in heads-up play for the $10 million top prize, but not before engaging in conversation with 2015 Main Event winner Joe McKeehen and another coach, Dominik Nitsche, who had an Apple laptop that Tamayo glanced at. 

The controversy it ignited was referred to as “Laptopgate” on social media. As a result, all electronic tools for poker information and coaching are permanently prohibited during WSOP gameplay. 

Manipulating the System 

AI-driven simulations assess recent hands and, using mathematical strategy, propose the optimal next action. 

Previously, the use of sims during WSOP tournaments was banned, and a harsh penalty would have ensued if Tamayo had used his own; however, no rules existed regarding players consulting sims provided by supporters in their cheering sections (rails). 

Obtaining coaching from individuals positioned at the rails was not previously considered inappropriate. 

“We never really had an issue … because everybody had access to the same tools, and so we kind of felt like it was a fair playing field,” Jack Effel, senior VP of poker operations for the WSOP and Caesars Entertainment, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

"In light of the situation, it’s probably not in the best spirit to allow these types of sophisticated tools on the tournament floor when you’re competing for millions of dollars on the world stage. The spirit of the competition is we want an environment where poker players can compete at the highest level with the utmost integrity.”

Currently, Rule 64d of WSOP indicates: “Competitors and observers are prohibited from utilizing charts, applications, artificial intelligence, or any other type of electronic support in the tournament area that might provide one Participant an edge over another Participant.” 

It states: “Spectators are also forbidden from offering live real-time support or coaching via direct (verbal) or indirect (text, email, through any electronic device, etc.) communication to a current Participant in any WSOP event.” 

This year's Main Event starts on July 2, with the final table anticipated to commence on July 15 via PokerGO.