Will Kassouf discussion

Can anyone explain why so many people defend him? I couldn't even listen to this guy for more than 2 minutes without becoming extremely annoyed. If part of his game is stalling constantly and trying to annoy people as much as possible to get reads on them, the WSOP/etc is allowed to force stricter clocks and penalties when he is CONSTANTLY doing this. Imagine if he influenced hundreds of young players to eventually act like this? Poker would be dead in 20 years. I really don't get why so many defend him on twitter etc, strikes me as somewhat political almost.

I would bet there's about a 85/15 political bent to both those who hate him and defend him. People should be able to figure it out.

Mass amounts of people are not going to start mimicking his behavior because they saw it on TV, that's a boomer mother argument from the 80s like if their children see violence they will commit violent acts. The live players who have it in their hearts/personalities to act this way are already doing so and even they don't have the same level of gas in the tank to sustain it like he does. That's why it's an interesting spectacle, every live reg and most recs have seen a guy who will do this type of thing for a short period of time but it's a rare breed to be able to sustain it for 10 hour periods. Also poker players are notoriously autistic and low empathy when it comes to things they personally do not do or like but as a human being you should in theory understand the concept that different people enjoy different things than you for different reasons. One of the biggest TV shows in the world rn is a reality show called Love Island where droolers on an island get drunk and try to bang each other. I don't like that sort of thing at all but accept the fact that my brain doesn't work identically to the population.

by threebanger m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041556#post59041556)

I would bet there's about a 85/15 political bent to both those who hate him and defend him. People should be able to figure it out.

I dont even understand what's political "hating" on him, he's ****ing annoying as hell.

by InterestedWrasse m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041562#post59041562)

Mass amounts of people are not going to start mimicking his behavior because they saw it on TV, that's a boomer mother argument from the 80s like if their children see violence they will commit violent acts.The live players who have it in their hearts/personalities to act this way are already doing so and even they don't have the same level of gas in the tank to sustain it like... See full post

If we're looking at young people, this is actually a common theme we see in streamers nowadays who copy certain types of personalties to gain clout. This more becomes an issue if let's say he did win the main event, or became way more popular in mainstream. I can understand how it's clickable and entertaining to watch, I don't find any of it worthy of being defended about in terms of "unfairness" like I see on twitter. I do get the Kassouf entertainment factor more than Love Island however

by TiltPocketAces m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041568#post59041568)

I dont even understand what's political "hating" on him, he's ****ing annoying as hell.

Agreed, but I was interpreting what I thought the OP's thought process was there.

He did same thing in 2016 and it did not result in wave of Kassouf copycats, so don’t be scared

Broken YouTube Link

by ScotchOnDaRocks m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041577#post59041577)

He did same thing in 2016 and it did not result in wave of Kassouf copycats, so don’t be scared

way different time now in terms of internet and social media Im not scared, I was just surprised how many defenders he has

by TiltPocketAces m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041580#post59041580)

way different time now in terms of internet and social media Im not scared, I was just surprised how many defenders he has

Defenders is probably the wrong word. People are entertained by drama. They also are type to join Netflix so they can watch Squid Game and Ozark and not Rom Coms like Sleepless in Seattle or whatever But we had internet and social media in 2016. Also all over ESPN which is no longer the case.

I am not going to lie.. I am entertained by the Will Kassouf show. Would I want him at my table? Hell no. Do I want to watch more and more tournaments with these types of antics? No. But for this one main event I am enjoying it. Albeit on delay and fast forwarding through a lot of his speech play.

by ScotchOnDaRocks m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041585#post59041585)

Defenders is probably the wrong word. People are entertained by drama. They also are type to join Netflix so they can watch Squid Game and Ozark and not Rom Coms like Sleepless in Seattle or whatever But we had internet and social media in 2016. Also all over ESPN which is no longer the case.

You had social media, but it is incredibly different and more influential nowadays. And I do mean defenders. Look at the PokerNews twitter on Kassouf discussions and majority of comments are saying how "unfair" it is he gets penalties and they're rigging the tourney against him. It's bizarre. https://x.com/PokerNews/status/194413554... (https://x.com/PokerNews/status/1944135542448201947)

by ScotchOnDaRocks m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041585#post59041585)

Defenders is probably the wrong word. People are entertained by drama. They also are type to join Netflix so they can watch Squid Game and Ozark and not Rom Coms like Sleepless in Seattle or whatever But we had internet and social media in 2016. Also all over ESPN which is no longer the case.

This 100%. I’m definitely a casual and have watched every day of the main on PG this year and loved all of it but I would not mind if he was at the feature all day everyday. He’s annoying for sure but there is absolutely an entertainment value to him and his schtick. I’m more curious from those of you that have forgotten more about Poker than I know if he is genuinely a really good poker player… If he never said a word, I’m assuming he’s well above average talent wise?? Love good shows too - Ozark was awesome More great hidden gem shows Banshee Patriot Mr Inbetween Warrior Barry

by TiltPocketAces m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041590#post59041590)

You had social media, but it is incredibly different and more influential nowadays. And I do mean defenders. Look at the PokerNews twitter on Kassouf discussions and majority of comments are saying how "unfair" it is he gets penalties and they're rigging the tourney against him. It's bizarre. https://x.com/PokerNews/status/194413554... (https://x.com/PokerNews/status/1944135542448201947)

Lol cmon social media was the same and given ESPN he had way more exposure then than he does now with a few hardcore watching on stream. It will all be fine. On this forum I’m just seeing people entertained like LD above

He's great for the stream and quality entertainment. Hilarious to see everyone getting mad at his table. Rooting for him to make the FT. Lol @ a bunch of bum hunting rta running gto perfect silent poker pro nits on the internet hating on it and lecturing everyone on whats good for the game.

by Walter_Mitty m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041594#post59041594)

This 100%. I’m definitely a casual and have watched every day of the main on PG this year and loved all of it but I would not mind if he was at the feature all day everyday. He’s annoying for sure but there is absolutely an entertainment value to him and his schtick. I’m more curious from those of you that have forgotten more about Poker than I know if he is g... See full post

Thanks for recommends bud, will take a look I like Sopranos so I like Lilyhammer…basically Silvio Dante goes to Norway

he's great for tv. but if everyone behaved like him you couldn't even run the tournament. I actually think the floor have dealt with him very well and used their discretion effectively. His 99 getting killed on a 10 second clock in that monster pot vs AK was hilarious

by TiltPocketAces m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041590#post59041590)

You had social media, but it is incredibly different and more influential nowadays. And I do mean defenders. Look at the PokerNews twitter on Kassouf discussions and majority of comments are saying how "unfair" it is he gets penalties and they're rigging the tourney against him. It's bizarre. https://x.com/PokerNews/status/194413554... (https://x.com/PokerNews/status/1944135542448201947)

There are a lot of people who think there basically should be zero rules and relish in people getting away with things that society overall has said we're not allowing that or just triggering others or whatever. Nobody has an issue with his table talk, it's just you can't do it all the time and tank with 9 high on river decisions you're never calling. Rest is sticking it to authority big bad tournament director keeping kassouf down or they just never grew up and this is what they like or wish they could do. reality is, far more people are watching this to watch Kassouf than are hate watching him, so he's gonna get some airtime.

If you need to act like him to get "reads" on people, no you're not that good of a player without it.

There's nothing worse than taking forever in live poker. Nothing.

by acescracked84 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041636#post59041636)

There's nothing worse than taking forever in live poker. Nothing.

Agreed Hallaert and Milhomem are taking forever

by ScotchOnDaRocks m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041637#post59041637)

Agreed Hallaert and Milhomem are taking forever

But they haven’t been doing it for the past 7 days on every hand. That’s the difference

I'll preface this by saying that I've watched zero hands with Kassouf so far this year – I've had a baseball game every night since the ME started, and the various poker-related sites (including this one) is blocked at my work. Thus, I don't know what he has been up to other than what I've read in the other thread. But if I had to guess, the Kassouf "defenders" don't like him so much as they like the idea of a heel in poker, especially when it comes to poker TV. We see it in professional wrestling, reality TV, and so on. Hell, as a sports fan, I'd rather watch a team I can't stand rather than two teams I don't care about because it gives me a rooting interest. And of course, there is probably at least one person among these threads who claims to really enjoy Kassouf and his antics for no other reason than to play contrarian. They get to stand out and get noticed as the one guy who goes against the grain, regardless of the take. On a place like 2+2, that's the guy who will insist Phil Galfond is badly overrated, or that Crazy Pineapple is his favorite variant, or that Mike Postle really is a poker genius. Anyway, I'll state again that I've seen none of the Main Event play with Kassouf involved, but my uneducated guess is that to some he's a player they hate to watch, while to others, he's the player they watch to hate. As a result, more people will tune in to root against a Will Kassouf then, say, will root for a Grinder or a Kenny Hallaert.

by PeteBlow m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041661#post59041661)

But they haven’t been doing it for the past 7 days on every hand. That’s the difference

He he he, 2+2ers sure have a extremely weak sarcasm radar

Mods, please swap Containment in for Discussion in thread title for tyvm

Tired of Kassouf saying he's not wasting time when he's 100% wasting time. Well if he wanted a shot clock in poker in the main event he's doing a great job of making a case for it.

by wheatrich m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041689#post59041689)

Tired of Kassouf saying he's not wasting time when he's 100% wasting time. Well if he wanted a shot clock in poker in the main event he's doing a great job of making a case for it.

If there was even ONE more player who acted like this guy in the top 100 there would 100% be some shot clock implemented by this point.

realizing barstool sports supports him.. now everything makes sense lol

Antics aside he's done a remarkable job nursing this short stack, I don't think he's been above 5-6 million since dinner break last night

I've been watching Kassouf's table for more than two hours now and without his antics and non-stop babbling it would be like watching paint dry tbh. Even if he's annoying, I'd rather have this than the rest of these charisma black holes sitting there in silence.

None of the other players would care if it was just speech play, it’s the slow play.

by Danny Analton m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041716#post59041716)

Antics aside he's done a remarkable job nursing this short stack, I don't think he's been above 5-6 million since dinner break last night

He has heart of the lion

I love Will Kassouf. He should get a Hugo Boss sponsorship.

Are we still just chalking it up to 'speech play'? Can you not hear him in the background during hands crying to his rail? He's clearly very mentally ill and doesn't have the capacity to understand why. WSOP has nobody but themselves to blame for how they've handled this situation so far. They've given him so much air time and publicity instead of ignoring him, and put him on the feature table for the past like 4 days. Whatever becomes of this is entirely the fault of WSOP and on a smaller scale, of PokerGO as well.

Too much. Gives me a headache. I hope the poker gods settle things. How many fewer hands have his tables played compared to others? Wasn't it like 50% fewer yesterday? I'd put him on a hard 1 minute clock every decision with floor on standby.

I find him pretty funny tbh, I didn’t want him to bust when he was all in. It’s entertaining, I wouldn’t be watching otherwise

by ValuetownJL m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041777#post59041777)

I find him pretty funny tbh, I didn’t want him to bust when he was all in. It’s entertaining, I wouldn’t be watching otherwise

exactly

Hope he drinks 6 more red bulls

kassouf with the ultra high level play, getting put on a 1 round penalty to earn the pay jump

hes delioberatly tanking and annoying players and floor but also for the last decade people have said poker is boring with people staring at each other for 3-4 mins. and thats the truth

So he does not realize when you call the rest of your table "little bitches" you're most likely to get a penalty?

Normalising Kasouffs’s behaviour is net negative for poker culture. He is actively trying to make the playing experience worse for his table mates, recs and pros alike when many of his opponents are playing for life changing amounts of money Table talk and making poker a more social experience is a good thing that should be encouraged. This is not what that is and not behaviour that should be encouraged

He does seem like he’s been taking drugs all week and not been to sleep

wasn't there a poker game show with shot clocks? id like to see him play that

Imagine if that "check your privilege" sniveler had been at his table again 😃 Already getting my popcorn ready for next year

by MoneyBoye m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041863#post59041863)

Imagine if that "check your privilege" sniveler had been at his table again 😃 Already getting my popcorn ready for next year

50% I doubt he'll be allowed back next year also it only becomes interesting if he makes deep runs.

He was entertaining for a while, but things got pretty dark at the bust out. Yikes.

He’s too good for poker tbh

Will Kassouf Escorted From WSOP Premises & Banned After Main Event Exit Jul 12, 2025 2 min read Will Kassouf has been escorted from the WSOP premises and banned from playing for the remainder of this year's series after a fiery and chaotic exit on Day 7 of the Main Event. WSOP US Circuit Tournament Director Dennis Jones would inform Kassouf after his 33rd-place finish that he would be escorted to collect his payout and let him know he wouldn't be welcomed back for the remainder of the 2025 WSOP, which ends on Wednesday.

by TiltPocketAces m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041865#post59041865)

50% I doubt he'll be allowed back next year also it only becomes interesting if he makes deep runs.

I agree very likely he is banned for his behavior toward the floor staff and Jack. Also agree, this has been handled poorly by WSOP. It's pretty simple, his 30 second clock is due to his cumulative behavior or wasting the clock and making game generally miserable for others. Will's lack of social awareness indicates some possible mental health issues.

The convo at 3hr mark in the free coverage will get you 86’ed from the casino 99% of times….only way it doesn’t is if you are a pit whale with some high level players card. Just seeing he was banned, good riddance, the only reason they didn’t do it sooner was because they didn't want to deal with potential legal fall out from grey areas, dq while still with chips is very tough to do.

'I never insulted anyone' lmao

I’m hours and hours behind in news/streams but I still can’t believe that Effel shows up and acts like that to a “customer”. And I hate WK But to literally put your hand in his face and do the Dwight Shrute “shun” while telling him to shut up, and then telling a grown man to “go in the corner” is next level mall-cop. And the bearded guy was also a complete tool

As a rec I find him amusing in small doses but he is an annoyance to those at his table as I know from a one-off experience. Nursing a shortish stack in a game I got moved to his table. It took just two hands to take a dislike to his incessant speech play and the way he slowed down the game. On the third hand I called the clock 2 seconds after action reached him. It had zero effect. His history makes him hard to like. Impossible really. But it is possible to feel some sympathy for him over the seemingly harsh treatment he has been getting from the floor.

Men Nguyen will be registering in the next events and nobody will say anything, but cheer Kassouf getting banned when 90% of the stream viewers tab out once he gets eliminated.

by PugDolk m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041909#post59041909)

Men Nguyen will be registering in the next events and nobody will say anything, but cheer Kassouf getting banned when 90% of the stream viewers tab out once he gets eliminated.

damn

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by PugDolk m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041909#post59041909)

Men Nguyen will be registering in the next events and nobody will say anything, but cheer Kassouf getting banned when 90% of the stream viewers tab out once he gets eliminated.

Spoiler Show

()

by Videopro m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041929#post59041929)

If he spins that any harder, he's going to be able to separate uranium.

by Pokerpops m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041907#post59041907)

As a rec I find him amusing in small doses but he is an annoyance to those at his table as I know from a one-off experience. Nursing a shortish stack in a game I got moved to his table. It took just two hands to take a dislike to his incessant speech play and the way he slowed down the game. On the third hand I called the clock 2 seconds after action reached him. It had zero ef... See full post

The WSOP has let tanking get out of control, and there have always been haphazard, inconsistent applications of rules & policies. Similar to Tamayo’s laptops, expect big changes/clarifications regarding tanking & behavioral issues next year. It is possible for people with severe mental illnesses to be saints, regular folk, manipulative, or total POS. Small sample size but over the past few days on various media he appears to be universally disliked by his fellow European players.

he is absolutely right and should sue them

Hellmuth literally threatened to burn down the Rio if he didn't win a tournament and didn't get banned. I guess arson isn't as bad as whatever this clown said.

He is pure cancer and I hope I never see him again. 'But the floor was rude to him!' the floor can call him a **** to his face and kick him on the way out the door for all I care. 'He's good for entertainment' - just watch reality TV if you're so keen to gawk at obnoxious freaks desperate for attention, it's not as if it's in short supply

by wheatrich m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041606#post59041606)

and tank with 9 high on river decisions you're never calling.

He literally never did that Y'all just enjoy making 💩 up to fit your own narratives 😂 😂

by Wilbury Twist m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041678#post59041678)

I'll preface this by saying that I've watched zero hands with Kassouf so far this year – I've had a baseball game every night since the ME started, and the various poker-related sites (including this one) is blocked at my work. Thus, I don't know what he has been up to other than what I've read in the other thread.But if I had to guess, the Kassouf "defenders" don't like him so... See full post

You haven't watched, so you have a reason to be mistaken But I am none of the things you described AND I am also rooting for Grindr and Hall Art. 👍

by buscali20 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041727#post59041727)

None of the other players would care if it was just speech play, it’s the slow play.

....while actually playing faster than everyone else in the field.....

by Snowstorm m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041755#post59041755)

Are we still just chalking it up to 'speech play'?Can you not hear him in the background during hands crying to his rail? He's clearly very mentally ill and doesn't have the capacity to understand why.WSOP has nobody but themselves to blame for how they've handled this situation so far. They've given him so much air time and publicity instead of ignoring him, and put him on t... See full post

Live stream viewers went from under 4k without Will to over 26k with him ...I wonder why Cary Katz wanted him featured.... It's a mystery! 😂 😂

Some of you have never spent time around profoundly mentality ill people and it shows. Kassouf is manic and probably off his medication, not to mention hopped up on a combination of redbull and idiots on the rail cheering him on and encouraging more of the Will Kassouf experience. How do 95% of you not see this for what it is..

by SetTheLine m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041765#post59041765)

Too much. Gives me a headache. I hope the poker gods settle things. How many fewer hands have his tables played compared to others? Wasn't it like 50% fewer yesterday? I'd put him on a hard 1 minute clock every decision with floor on standby.

Twice as many hands at his table compared to the remaining 4, actually Must be nice to be able to just make up your own "facts" lolol

by Doorbread m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041826#post59041826)

Normalising Kasouffs’s behaviour is net negative for poker culture. He is actively trying to make the playing experience worse for his table mates, recs and pros alike when many of his opponents are playing for life changing amounts of money Table talk and making poker a more social experience is a good thing that should be encouraged. This is not what that is and not behaviour... See full post

Normalising with an S and behaviour with a U? Is that you, Griffin Benger? Have you Checked Your Privilege yet?

by DuckU m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041891#post59041891)

I agree very likely he is banned for his behavior toward the floor staff and Jack. Also agree, this has been handled poorly by WSOP. It's pretty simple, his 30 second clock is due to his cumulative behavior or wasting the clock and making game generally miserable for others. Will's lack of social awareness indicates some possible mental health issues.

10 second immediate fold clock on all turns as soon as the action is his..... ....while some ***** is allowed to sit on his final chip for 20 minutes following an "all in -1" for a pay jump of <2-3 buy-ins ....while GTO Wizard advertises on the feature table rail which is where they won/cheated last year Kassouf might be the only thing that ISN'T a joke here wtf

by Snowstorm m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042058#post59042058)

Some of you have never spent time around profoundly mentality ill people and it shows. Kassouf is manic and probably off his medication, not to mention hopped up on a combination of redbull and idiots on the rail cheering him on and encouraging more of the Will Kassouf experience. How do 95% of you not see this for what it is..

#1) Every single person who has spent 2 minutes in any poker room in America has been around mental illness #2) Fwiw, it can be damn near impossible to take psych meds during this tournament when you're playing every day. Especially if it is something like a mood stabilizer. There's typically not enough time between days of play to take them and sleep while also being able to wake up the next day to play again and not be falling asleep at the table. Not making any statement about gameplay for those who have their medication management disrupted from this schedule. Just saying. If that's the case for Will, he should probably look into an LAI (long acting injection) and test it during the off season to ensure it won't make him overly drowsy during the day.

He deserves no empathy is not a victim. He should be penalized for the players that have to deal with him, forget the "fans". They'll be fine without him

by bossi m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042021#post59042021)

he is absolutely right and should sue them

He is absolutely right about what? What are his grounds (basis) for a lawsuit? What are his damages? Link to Poker.Org video below.

https://www.poker.org/latest-news/will-kassouf-banned-from-the-wsop-and-escorted-out-after-main-event-chaos-aLCUF3f7JaRQ/ poker Will Kassouf banned from the WSOP and escorted out after Main Event chaos (https://www.poker.org/latest-news/will-kassouf-banned-from-the-wsop-and-escorted-out-after-main-event-chaos-aLCUF3f7JaRQ/)

by Rmbxr9 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041905#post59041905)

I’m hours and hours behind in news/streams but I still can’t believe that Effel shows up and acts like that to a “customer”. And I hate WKBut to literally put your hand in his face and do the Dwight Shrute “shun” while telling him to shut up, and then telling a grown man to “go in the corner” is next level mall-cop.And the bearded... See full post

Although only seen tv coverage of him, Effel always personally comes across as a bit too much Effel. That said, imo the way he handled this seemed quite reasonable - Kassouf is just not a guy you can actually have a conversation with.

by Hell2Heaven m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041893#post59041893)

The convo at 3hr mark in the free coverage will get you 86’ed from the casino 99% of times….only way it doesn’t is if you are a pit whale with some high level players card.Just seeing he was banned, good riddance, the only reason they didn’t do it sooner was because they didn't want to deal with potential legal fall out from grey areas, dq while still with chips is very tough t... See full post

Around like day 6 it occurred to me that he may be trying to get intentionally banned and open up a potential lawsuit. Wouldnt surprise me if he was hes a lawyer by trade.

professional loser must be kassouf alt account. 4 posts back to back. are you ok bud? take your meds and be safe friend

by LimpDitka m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042110#post59042110)

Around like day 6 it occurred to me that he may be trying to get intentionally banned and open up a potential lawsuit. Wouldnt surprise me if he was hes a lawyer by trade.

I don't get all of these lawsuit comments, he'd be hard pressed to win a lawsuit the way the WSOP rules are written, imo (ianal) The guy is either mental or on drugs from his nonstop ramblings. If anything, the floors were overly light with him for too long. Look, I'm no fan of the boring-ass misreg grinders with their hoodies, headphones, sunglasses and perpetual scowls on their faces and zero social skills either. I'm a fan of having some personalities keeping poker fun and entertaining. But this year Kassouf was absolutely out of control and over the line.

i've mostly seen clips although i've seen a few hands in full. I'd be able to mostly tune him out but I'm amazed people don't call the clock on him constantly . Most people are obviously annoyed playing with him but they just sit there and let him do it which is really bizarre.

by SetTheLine m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041765#post59041765)

Too much. Gives me a headache. I hope the poker gods settle things. How many fewer hands have his tables played compared to others? Wasn't it like 50% fewer yesterday? I'd put him on a hard 1 minute clock every decision with floor on standby.

1 minute is way too long and I'm not kidding. He should get 10 seconds tops at this point. edit: didn't even know that's what happened lmao.

by urasofty m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042139#post59042139)

professional loser must be kassouf alt account. 4 posts back to back. are you ok bud? take your meds and be safe friend

Name checks out...confirmed Kassouf

by TampaKn1sh m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042143#post59042143)

I don't get all of these lawsuit comments, he'd be hard pressed to win a lawsuit the way the WSOP rules are written, imo (ianal)The guy is either mental or on drugs from his nonstop ramblings. If anything, the floors were overly light with him for too long.Look, I'm no fan of the boring-ass misreg grinders with their hoodies, headphones, sunglasses and perpetual scowls on thei... See full post

I didnt say it was going to work or that it was even a good idea, but I think Kassouf thought it was. Why else would be continue to berate the floormen ? Surely he had to know he was teetering on the brink of being disqualified.

by threebanger m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041556#post59041556)

I would bet there's about a 85/15 political bent to both those who hate him and defend him. People should be able to figure it out.

Lol what?

by Snowstorm m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042058#post59042058)

Some of you have never spent time around profoundly mentality ill people and it shows. Kassouf is manic and probably off his medication, not to mention hopped up on a combination of redbull and idiots on the rail cheering him on and encouraging more of the Will Kassouf experience. How do 95% of you not see this for what it is..

Completely agree with this take. The dude had a nervous breakdown in live stream. Watching it was annoying, uncomfortable, and pathetic all at the same time. As for the punishment, given Kassouf was tank stalling on just about every hand, including on earlier tournament days, was rude and insulting to tournament staff, and disrupted every player at the table every time they had a difficult decision to make, whether he was in the hand or not, I'm surprised he wasn't told to sit out orbits way earlier.

As a business owner, it's ok to fire shitty customers. I'd just ban him indefinitely. Why make your other customers and your employees experience absolutely unbearable to accommodate this clown?

by arcdog m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042172#post59042172)

Lol what?

Are you a Kassouf fan?

Fan of what? The constant and loud chatter throughout every hand, potentially disrupting the thought processes of those needing to make decisions? The inexcusable intention-to-tilt stalling, to the point his tables get to play many fewer hands than the others, putting the bigger stacks playing at his tables at tournament disadvantages? Or the talking about his and his opponents hands, which is not allowed even a little bit as part of WSOP policy? Or the threats made and insults hurled at those with the temerity to call the clock on him while he refused to act with his 72o holding? It was touch and go whether in many of his interactions with Effel and floor staff he might put hands on them and start a physical altercation. He needs professional help, and badly. Hopefully with 300K USD under his belt, he can try to get it.

I believe Kassouf can be somewhat interesting and entertaining. But only if you watch the stream or the highlights of the day. Any other time, being at the same table with him is a disaster. Your table is the slowest in the entire tournament, and everyone gets headaches from his constant monologues and loud behavior. He was unpleasant to basically everyone. Players, dealers, TD. Even Jack Eiffel lost control and started acting around him like a furious father who can't control his own children at the mall. Imo, now he'll get a lifetime ban from WSOP. GTO nerds are bad for poker, but someone who makes the game unpleasant for everyone in the room is even worse.

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I think he had a side bet worth big money to be DQed. Jk lol. Honestly it was wild to watch as a bit but the more he flared up at authority and being told “something he can’t understand.” Which was clear he was being a ****ing tool but the more he fought it was clear he was having some kind of mental break. Like he committed to the bit so heavy it took him over and he was in some war he created in his mind. Was crazy to watch him be eaten by his own big mouth. Do I want him at my table? Hell no Was I glued to the action for that 3 hours? Absolutely lol. Hope he gets to play 2026 with 50% less bs antics.

Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s banned 2026+ with opportunity for reinstatement down the line. He has definitely crossed the line from “speech play” to just being an annoying, aggravating, disruptive douche at the table.

by threebanger m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042185#post59042185)

Are you a Kassouf fan?

No and I wasnt aware he had any - the only people who “support” him are simply those who love watching a train wreck on stream. Its a testament to human kindness that five people a day dont punch him.

by Professional Loser m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042055#post59042055)

....while actually playing faster than everyone else in the field.....

yeah when was out the tables were so boring

The best thing about this was the guy whose whole MO was to get his opponents to meltdown ended up being the one who went into complete meltdown himself. Poetic justice.

This is the type of stuff that’s not as abundant at the Feature https://youtube.com/shorts/ffPCFfUZPMg?s... (https://youtube.com/shorts/ffPCFfUZPMg?si=wIRu7Lj4EtziRty2) I can’t imagine how much they hate him

OP, add a Poll to this thread.

He's like someone with bipolar disorder, except he is constantly in the manic phase of it. Holy **** lol they should ban him for the entire 2026 WSOP as well. Not as punishment, not as a deterrent to others....just because anyone who interacted with him in any way is going to need at least a year to recuperate from the experience. Edit: Apparently manic episodes can last several months so I hope he gets treatment for whatever mental illness he has when he goes back home.

can you imagine if he got invited to the tv show games w hellmuth, d-negs etc..?? lol

by Videopro m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041929#post59041929)

Mad props to that reporter for standing there the entire time with a straight face while she listens to the inane ramblings of someone who is clearly mentally unwell. The more I see of him, it stops being funny or amusing and just sad.

He speaks with a cockney accent, which is typically associated with less educated/lower class. He tries really hard to make himself look smart despite his lack of education and class.

His non stop banter is one thing, it can be both annoying and entertaining, but the slow play is absolutely unacceptable.

serious question- does he actually have a mental illness? He said he was sleeping 2 hours a day or less and was probably cracked out on Adderall and who knows what else.

by TiltPocketAces m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042311#post59042311)

can you imagine if he got invited to the tv show games w hellmuth, d-negs etc..?? lol

Can you imagine if we used Kassouf, Kahbrel and Khan (the three K's, or KKK) to torture prisoners at Guantanamo?

The defining characteristics of mania are increased talkativeness, rapid speech, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, distractibility, increase in goal-directed activity, and psychomotor agitation. Some other hallmarks of mania are an elevated or expansive mood, mood lability, impulsivity, irritability, and grandiosity.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29630220/ PubMed Mania - PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29630220/)

It could be due to drugs or him having a manic episode. Obviously no one knows if he has actually been diagnosed with a mental illness. But it seems like he is mentally not in a healthy place.

by Professional Loser m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042057#post59042057)

Live stream viewers went from under 4k without Will to over 26k with him ...I wonder why Cary Katz wanted him featured.... It's a mystery! 😂 😂

Viewership always goes up when there's a live disaster happening.

The thing that some people (including WK) seem to be missing is that the WSOP's rules are written in such a way that they (unsurprisingly) have all of the power. WK's opinion does not matter at all and the particulars of his behavior do not matter at all. If the WSOP decides that his behavior is a problem, they can basically do whatever they want. There's basically only one limit on the consequences they might enact: what the market will tolerate from them. If they seem like an organization that will disqualify you for no good reason, they'll lose business. (Yes, I'm sure at some point the Nevada gaming powers that be would have a say, but AFAIK that's the long and short of it.) By that or other standards, they were way more patient with him than they had to be.

by DevWil m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042371#post59042371)

The thing that some people (including WK) seem to be missing is that the WSOP's rules are written in such a way that they (unsurprisingly) have all of the power. WK's opinion does not matter at all and the particulars of his behavior do not matter at all. If the WSOP decides that his behavior is a problem, they can basically do whatever they want. There's basically only one lim... See full post

all true much like any other business. If you act like a jackass and piss off tons of customers you're getting kicked out of anywhere unless you're some hugely profitable customer. And even then who knows.

by borg23 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042353#post59042353)

serious question- does he actually have a mental illness? He said he was sleeping 2 hours a day or less and was probably cracked out on Adderall and who knows what else.

Lol I’m sure his doctor will post later and give us all the details

A smart businessman told me that he not only cultivates his business, he also cultivates his customers at the same time. If they become an abusive pain in the neck, they aren't his customers anymore. Calling people 'pathetic' repeatedly at an event like the WSOP is unacceptable to most people, but some people love drama. A family member that uses public transportation has the philosophy of '...don't engage with the mentally ill, you can't win...'

by Professional Loser m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042076#post59042076)

#1) Every single person who has spent 2 minutes in any poker room in America has been around mental illness#2) Fwiw, it can be damn near impossible to take psych meds during this tournament when you're playing every day. Especially if it is something like a mood stabilizer. There's typically not enough time between days of play to take them and sleep while also being able to wa... See full post

#2 really checks out with Kassouf 's comments about not being able to sleep. Last day, looked like he was on fumes with barely any sleep.

Kassouf is pretty calculated and aware of what he’s doing, able to articulate why he’s doing it, and doesn’t really seem like someone going through bipolar mania. It feels like these comments are coming from people who don’t really have a lot of experience with genuinely bipolar people. He’s won over >$600k in the main in the past ten years plus first in an EPT event so he’s obviously a pretty good tournament player, he’s clearly +EV in the main by a very healthy amount. So I’d weigh all his bad behavior with a huge rock of salt of “he makes money with it.” Genuinely bipolar people their mania takes on a way different form, they have notably deluded beliefs, sometimes even hallucinations. Delusions that go beyond being a jerk off that thinks highly of themselves and wants special attention. Was he abusing stimulants/adderall? Possibly, a lot of poker players do, and I’ve frequently seen people I knew were on stims crash out at the poker table, it’s probably the most predictable outcome of mixing adderall and poker. Poker causes tilt as a standard, adderall greatly amplifies tilt, play poker on adderall long enough (and people take it so they can play longer) and you’re almost guaranteed to crash out at some point. That’s quite different from being mentally ill though. Also he’s a lawyer, pretty studied on the game when it’s seemingly a part-time thing for him, so he’s definitely not stupid or uneducated. I think he just chooses to be a jackass, it ends up being profitable, which reinforces the behavior.

by borg23 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042353#post59042353)

serious question- does he actually have a mental illness? He said he was sleeping 2 hours a day or less and was probably cracked out on Adderall and who knows what else.

Nine Red Bulls like a boss.

I know watching him is painful. It's not that he's some kind of awful person, it's the waiting. What changes with how people act to his betting/checking, by waiting 3.5 hours a decision? I know 33rd in the mainevent is a kick in the nuts. He'll never do that again, possibly.

Old Vegas would have set up residency for him near Parumph by now. Too many players need attitude adjustment, but I guess that's what makes entertainment nowadays. Sent from my LM-V600 using Tapatalk

interesting he's gone quiet on social media

anyone liking kassoufs antics watch 5 min clips and laugh, everyone that has to sit at his table for hours listening to that tiring schtick does not and guess which one of these two opinions that actually matter? The guy that flew out to vegas for his vacation, gets a hotelroom, pays for overpriced food, maybe plays some slots and buys in to the tournament paying rake trying to have a great experience only to have it ruined by this ****ing idiot to never go back. Happy about the ruling and I hope I never have to endure him on the table for 12 hours ever under any other tournament series.

Wow if this is true. Twitter EmbedNot found

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by floatingtheriver m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042345#post59042345)

He speaks with a cockney accent, which is typically associated with less educated/lower class. He tries really hard to make himself look smart despite his lack of education and class.

Nice stereotype. Despite what is thought from most Americans very very few people in England actually talk like Hugh f'n Grant.

by ashmadden m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042557#post59042557)

Nice stereotype. Despite what is thought from most Americans very very few people in England actually talk like Hugh f'n Grant.

Thanks, dude! I was thinking of Harrow rather than Hugh. Cheers. In the US there are also subtle indications of education, and it's likely that most people around the world (or the US for that matter), are totally unaware of subtleties. For example, if you're at a cocktail party at the Upper West Side, pynchonesque would be a good word to have a handle on. It would indicate that you might be a Columbia vs. a Rutgers grad.

I liked watching just to see what he would do next. Seems like a lot of people had the same sentiment based on the viewer count while he was on stream. Would absolutely hate being at the same table as him

As PugDolk said, likely not bipolar. But he absolutely suffers from a personality disorder, almost certainly Narcissistic Personality Disorder. And being on television, getting all the media attention, recognizing his growing power and leverage in being able to challenge and even upend social norms and ultimate authority (in this instance the floor/WSOP governing executives)…well, all of that to a narcissist like him was like doing lines of coke off the felt. It wasn’t just his own personal out-loud obsession with the circumstances of his tournament situation—what he had, what he was thinking, why he made the decisions that he did—it was his absolute certainty that the other players at the table and everyone watching at home were equally obsessed with him. It was a disorder that became a delusion that became a mania. It probably did start out somewhere as a strategy to gain an edge at the poker table. But that is no longer what it’s about. And he has lost whatever control of it he ever had. Nick and Ali were absolutely correct. He melted down.

Hey, this is poker. It's gambling and gamblers have a pretty high percentage of mental illness. That is if you play the odds.

by BringBackMo m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042598#post59042598)

It wasn’t just his own personal out-loud obsession with the circumstances of his tournament situation—what he had, what he was thinking, why he made the decisions that he did—it was his absolute certainty that the other players at the table and everyone watching at home were equally obsessed with him. It was a disorder that became a delusion that became a mani... See full post

This. It was startling to see him abuse the table, get punished by the floor, then poll players he just abused about how upset they must be about the unfair treatment he was receiving. Absolutely delusional. Even as he left and the players applauded and taunted him he seemed unable to register they were against him.

by BringBackMo m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042598#post59042598)

As PugDolk said, likely not bipolar. But he absolutely suffers from a personality disorder, almost certainly Narcissistic Personality Disorder. And being on television, getting all the media attention, recognizing his growing power and leverage in being able to challenge and even upend social norms and ultimate authority (in this instance the floor/WSOP governing executives)…we... See full post

Excellent post, NPD is almost certainly what the issue is here. Used to play with him a lot and his whole behaviour is like he sees his life as a movie where he plays the main character

it's called "main character syndrome".

Pure Euro trash. The WSOP should have been ready for him after 2016 and DQd him long before it got to where it did. He should be banned from all CR properties.

If you've had the misfortune to be sat anywhere near this schmuck in any tournament anywhere you know this isn't just for the Main Event, this idiot does it at small events around the UK, non stop all day and all night talking. The fact he has a chequered past is hardly surprising. It's a shame because actually some of his catchphrases much like Martin;s can be hilarious but when it's repeated non stop and done in a sort of nasty way it just gets boring fast. The only saving grace is poker needs more characters, because it's been boring af the last few years, so any drama is entertainment and better than nothing.

by dappadan777 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042746#post59042746)

If you've had the misfortune to be sat anywhere near this schmuck in any tournament anywhere you know this isn't just for the Main Event, this idiot does it at small events around the UK, non stop all day and all night talking. The fact he has a chequered past is hardly surprising. ... See full post

Lines that are good are good when they're genuine and original. When someone says it for the 50th time it's just annoying.

Should be banned for life, you don’t physically threaten tournament.

by PugDolk m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042472#post59042472)

Kassouf is pretty calculated and aware of what heÂ’s doing, able to articulate why heÂ’s doing it, and doesnÂ’t really seem like someone going through bipolar mania. It feels like these comments are coming from people who donÂ’t really have a lot of experience with genuinely bipolar people. HeÂ’s won over >$600k in the main in the past ten years plus first in an EPT event so he... See full post

He's a poker player that has a law degree

by PugDolk m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042472#post59042472)

Kassouf is pretty calculated and aware of what heÂ’s doing, able to articulate why heÂ’s doing it, and doesnÂ’t really seem like someone going through bipolar mania. It feels like these comments are coming from people who donÂ’t really have a lot of experience with genuinely bipolar people.

Saw a few takes like this. There is no way whatever edge he supposedly thought he was gaining was worth repeated one round penalties while on a short stack. I'm in the camp that he basically was crashing out due to a combination of stress, lack of sleep, maybe some pharmaceutical enhancement, whatever. I give the WSOP TDs a ton of credit for not just DQ'ing him from the tournament and giving him every chance to calm down and have his tournament resolve itself normally. If he'd doubled up a few times, it would have gotten to a very difficult situation where they might have had to escort him out and he gets whatever his chip stack can afford to be blinded off until. From the bigger picture...he's just another symptom of society always functioning on a set of written and unwritten rules, and those unwritten rules being good for everyone. However, if someone wants to say "hey it's not written so I'm not following it" (and this includes the Ike Haxton issue, the Millionaire maker headsup, or the Tamaya final table issue last year and many non poker societal situations that I won't mention), you end up in an awful situation. I'm sure the WSOP will put in more rules next year, and they'll end up being angle shot the same way because you can't cover every possible situation, or if you do, you end up with a tournament full of people calling the floor every two seconds over some nitpicky violation. I once read a book by a major league umpire who detailed some of the weird situations he found himself in over the years where the rulebook just didn't cover exactly what to do, and he said that he always applied one rule to make his call: "Ultimately, who caused the problem? punish them." Seems like Jack Effel read the same book.

Anyone defending Kassouf is an antisocial weirdo. Guy should be perma banned from the WSOP.

I wish everyone was on a 10 sec clock for pre-flop action. We’d all have WK to thank.

Typical nerdy angry attorney - hope he's banned for life.

by TampaKn1sh m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042359#post59042359)

Can you imagine if we used Kassouf, Kahbrel and Khan (the three K's, or KKK) to torture prisoners at Guantanamo?

Don’t be so mean to Khan. His shtick was annoying but I don’t recall it being horribly disrespectful nor being a massive tanker. But it has been awhile. Was Khan actually penalized?

by Fore m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59043210#post59043210)

Don’t be so mean to Khan. His shtick was annoying but I don’t recall it being horribly disrespectful nor being a massive tanker. But it has been awhile. Was Khan actually penalized?

I'm pretty sure the next year the WSOP put rules in place (known as the "Hevad Khan" rule) to reduce antics like his.

by Snowstorm m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042058#post59042058)

Some of you have never spent time around profoundly mentality ill people and it shows. Kassouf is manic and probably off his medication, not to mention hopped up on a combination of redbull and idiots on the rail cheering him on and encouraging more of the Will Kassouf experience. How do 95% of you not see this for what it is..

I don't ascribe this to ignorance. I think a lot of people are entertained by these things. This isn't an indictment on modern behavior though...

( been happening as long as people enjoyed watching lions rip Christians to shreds and black folks being lynched by the Klan. At least Kassouf isn't enslaving or hanging anyone. Progress. It is kinda telling to me that people in a forum devoted to poker make excuses how it's "good for the game" instead of caring about watching great players make nuanced plays on the biggest stage with millions on the line. That has always been the draw for me, not someone being an *******. Poker has always had willing villains but there's a difference with Kassouf. Those players targeted one or two players to get under their skin - honestly, those one-on-one battles against a player was a lot more engrossing to me than some mentally ill player spewing vitriol indiscriminately. And spare me the "it builds the game" nonsense. The average person who gets off on watching a mentally ill person implode on a poker livestream is not gonna jump into your local casino and be dead money for you to exploit. They're gonna snicker and click to something else. Finally, being mentally ill is not an excuse. A lot of mentally ill people go about their lives not being flaming bags of ****, thinking that gives them some advantage in their pursuits. Most of them, actually.

that guy is certainly annoying and i would hate to have him at my table but all the talk about him being mentally ill is taking this a bit far. Probably not the most well balanced individual but you armchair psychologist are super weird to me. Personally i think he is an ******* who might have some mental issues or not. Who the **** knows. In regards to his treatment at the event I think it was a good call to disqualify him from further events but it was unfair and not the right thing to put him in 10 second shot clock. 30 second would have sufficed.

by ashmadden m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042557#post59042557)

Nice stereotype. Despite what is thought from most Americans very very few people in England actually talk like Hugh f'n Grant.

Fine. I'll take your word for it as a local. Educated folks in England now talk like Kassouf. Things have sure changed since I was last in London. Are the butlers at The Lanesborough still friendly, or is that also a relic of the past?

by NYCNative m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59043355#post59043355)

I don't ascribe this to ignorance. I think a lot of people are entertained by these things.This isn't an indictment on modern behavior though...It's been happening as long as people enjoyed watching lions rip Christians to shreds and black folks being lynched by the Klan.At least Kassouf isn't enslaving or hanging anyone. Progress.It is kinda telling to me that people in a foru... See full post

Correction: black is spelled Black. Just sayin'

by TiltPocketAces m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041635#post59041635)

If you need to act like him to get "reads" on people, no you're not that good of a player without it.

anybody acting like him or doing any kind of angle shoot or "Im gonna piss everyone off so they play worse" is doing it in lieu of actual strategic acumen and it's so obvious to see

If he’s just pissing people off to make them play worse, then why is he doing it to, like, employees at the casino cage? Does he think that if he gets them really annoyed at him, they’ll accidentally pay him more?

by urasofty m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042139#post59042139)

professional loser must be kassouf alt account. 4 posts back to back. are you ok bud? take your meds and be safe friend

5 Replies and 0 OPs in 17 years just to use your 6th Reply ever to tell me to take meds? Cuz I responded to 4 separate Replies from 4 separate accounts that had spanned several days Ok "bud"

by Professional Loser m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59043578#post59043578)

[QUOTE=Professional Loser;59042061][QUOTE=DuckU;59041891] By the time of my Reply above, though, nothing like that had been shown Annoying? Obviously Against the rules? Not so much

The rules specifically say "excessive chatter". You might be able to talk away the "abusive behavior", but there is zero way to argue that he does not use excessive chatter as his poker strategy.

still find it so odd he has not commented at all on IG. Probably concerned he'll be banned next year too

*******s being banned is fine by me

by rubbertoe m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59043600#post59043600)

by Professional Loser m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59043578#post59043578)

[QUOTE=Professional Loser;59042061][QUOTE=DuckU;59041891] By the time of my Reply above, though, nothing like that had been shown Annoying? Obviously Against the rules? Not so much

The rules specifically say "excessive chatter". You might be able to talk away the "abusive behavior", but there is zero way to argue that he does not use excessive chatter as his poker strategy.

I never once heard any Dealer, Floor or TD mention that Or any of the 100s who (understandably) called Clock on him I haven't looked at the rule book since like 2015 so if they added more specificity to "The Jamie Gold(en) Rule" after KasOOF's last appearance, that wouldn't shock me Just never heard it mentioned once prior to his KO crash out fwiw

by TampaKn1sh m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59043235#post59043235)

I'm pretty sure the next year the WSOP put rules in place (known as the "Hevad Khan" rule) to reduce antics like his.

That is definitely true. But while he was LOUD AS HECK, I don't recall him being nearly in the class with the other two.

by Walter_Mitty m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041594#post59041594)

by ScotchOnDaRocks m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041585#post59041585)

Defenders is probably the wrong word.People are entertained by drama. They also are type to join Netflix so they can watch Squid Game and Ozark and not Rom Coms like Sleepless in Seattle or whatever But we had internet and social media in 2016. Also all over ESPN which is no longer the case.

This 100%. I’m definitely a casual and have watched every day of the main on PG this yea... See full post

I only watched about 5 minutes of him but in that time he called a raise in the SB with 98 off with approx 20 big blinds. Then played passively till betting the river when the Ace hit which was much better for his opponents range and likely to be heavy in the hands he'd check back flop and turn.

by WPNdonk m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59044369#post59044369)

I only watched about 5 minutes of him but in that time he called a raise in the SB with 98 off with approx 20 big blinds. Then played passively till betting the river when the Ace hit which was much better for his opponents range and likely to be heavy in the hands he'd check back flop and turn.

None of that matters to him, he just wants to bluff and show nine high like a boss But flops with nines are more dangerous, he showed Sturm the quad nines “stamp it and send it”

10 sec shot clock per street seemed insanely unfair. 30 secs per street would be plenty fair. ROY ban seems super reasonable, the guy was a true menace for no reason. The tourney directors can make the rules on the fly and if you're a complete prick and make their life really tough obv they have shown they will do the exact same back to you If they warn him on Day 1 next year that any similar antic during the entire WSOP and he gets a lifetime ban I think that would be pretty reasonable....apparently this is his MO and it's just not a good way to conduct yourself everyday you play with people

by TiltPocketAces m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59043949#post59043949)

still find it so odd he has not commented at all on IG. Probably concerned he'll be banned next year too

Still sleeping is my guess lol. I really don't think he showed signs of a true manic episode. His poker decisions were too calculated, his excessive behavior limited to motor mouth and argumentative behavior. True manic behavior would be to either VPIPing very loose (grandiose thinking, I'm so good that I can easily outplay these guys woth trash) or to just play pretty loose to get it in and want to to double quickly so he could try to run over the table with more chips. I agree with someone else who said it seems more like narcissism combined with lack of sleep and prolonged adderall use which made him melt down. He became unable to control when to stop and assess when his behavior was impacting him negatively. Also seems like such a pathetic guy in general. He's like that one guy in school who would just argue for the sake of it because he had no personality and that's how he got attention. Just relentlessly arguing until people stopped responding. Makes sense he has 0 friends or support network.

It’s also worth discussing whether any of the insane effort he puts into this routine had anything close to the desired impact of getting opponents to tilt and make suboptimal decisions - seems like he was the only one whose play was impacted, by potentially having the short clock leading to him folding that winning straight where he may otherwise have found a call. The stalling for sure had the desired impact and was +EV, the antics much less so.

His talking is non-stop though it doesn't give u time to actually deep think I think a better rule would (not sure to implement) that you can only talk to opponent when the actiion is on you, if you have acted then you mustbe quiet unless opponent opens up a line of dialogue to you whether that be asking chip count or any other utterence.

No I get that but didn’t see any evidence that it led to obviously sub-optimal decisions by anyone.

by brianr m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59044556#post59044556)

No I get that but didn’t see any evidence that it led to obviously sub-optimal decisions by anyone.

He had Sturm put that in his GTO pipe and smoke it

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Just wrote a post and the site decided to malfunction cloudfare nonsense and i lost it is this normal now? Cliffs because can't be bothered to write it again. Kasoufs talking as long as u are able to block him with noise cancelling/music isn't a issue. Taking 60 seconds to fold trash every hand annoys everyone except him and hes fully aware of this. Should be banned or put on shot clock for every desicion going forward at every venue/tournament series. Have had the displeasure of playing with this guy a dozen times in the UK and its not a isolated incident how he acted in the WSOP although it was a step above his usual performance.

by LucidDream m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59044421#post59044421)

10 sec shot clock per street seemed insanely unfair. 30 secs per street would be plenty fair. ROY ban seems super reasonable, the guy was a true menace for no reason. The tourney directors can make the rules on the fly and if you're a complete prick and make their life really tough obv they have shown they will do the exact same back to youIf they warn him on Day 1 next year... See full post

10 seconds was generous. Play stupid games win stupid prizes.

NL poker isn't meant to be televised. This is why idiots like this exist. There has to be an artificially infused drama added to the event or people will not watch. This actually makes me not want to watch this crap. They should be televising limit poker. It's way faster and you don't have the 5 minute tanks. If you like this guy you are probably also a tool bag.

People who are making comments about Kassoufs mental health assessment are out of line. Watching him here is not enough evidence to make any serous determination. I think hes just a calculating snake who got owned by his own behavior (being given the 10 second clock-which was a bit much). I say that because if its gotten to the point you have to assign an outrageous individual rule that may have never been previously done things are out of hand. 20-30 seconds seems better and maybe 1 min if he's put all in. Its all arbitrary anyway and with his behavior he likely should have been sent out for a long penalty and warned this is his last chance. If you continue anything remotely close to "xyz behavior " you're gone and I dont care how deep you are in the tournament. Just my opinion, but hes just an ******* who's looking to tilt players, hes admitted it previously that "its his strategy". Dont disparage those with serious mental health issues by comparing this guy to those who struggle. Manic behavior specifically is very difficult to work with.

by mongidig m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59045247#post59045247)

NL poker isn't meant to be televised. This is why idiots like this exist. There has to be an artificially infused drama added to the event or people will not watch. This actually makes me not want to watch this crap. They should be televising limit poker. It's way faster and you don't have the 5 minute tanks. If you like this guy you are probably also a tool bag.

Limit poker would be even worse. At least with NL you can have some interesting clips of all ins/big moves and bluffs. As someone who has played a lot of limit hold em there's absolutely nothing about it that would appeal to a television audience. I think there's a valid argument that many recs would enjoy playing limit more than NL if they gave it a chance since it's a more relaxed game where your entire stack is never at risk (unless you're extremely shortstacked). But better for TV? No way, no how

by VincentVega m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59045322#post59045322)

People who are making comments about Kassoufs mental health assessment are out of line. Watching him here is not enough evidence to make any serous determination. I think hes just a calculating snake who got owned by his own behavior (being given the 10 second clock-which was a bit much). I say that because if its gotten to the point you have to assign an outrageous individual... See full post

I'd much rather have a 10 second shot clock than a long penalty, especially with anything under 40-50 BBs I'd agree on the mental health stuff that seems overblown, he managed to show up up every day, play presumably halfway decent poker for long hours. He kept it together incredibly well if he's having a major mental health crisis.

by LucidDream m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59044421#post59044421)

10 sec shot clock per street seemed insanely unfair. 30 secs per street would be plenty fair. ROY ban seems super reasonable, the guy was a true menace for no reason. The tourney directors can make the rules on the fly and if you're a complete prick and make their life really tough obv they have shown they will do the exact same back to youIf they warn him on Day 1 next year... See full post

Genuinely no idea why people have sympathy for him. It's not like he got a 10 sec shot clock imposed on him after 1 warning. The dude had 30+ clocks called on him and got tons of warnings. I think he should've been disqualified long before he busted. by VincentVega m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59045322#post59045322)

People who are making comments about Kassoufs mental health assessment are out of line. Watching him here is not enough evidence to make any serous determination. I think hes just a calculating snake who got owned by his own behavior (being given the 10 second clock-which was a bit much). I say that because if its gotten to the point you have to assign an outrageous individual... See full post

Not nearly hard enough punishment. He should've been disqualified long before he busted. by U shove i call m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59045156#post59045156)

Just wrote a post and the site decided to malfunction cloudfare nonsense and i lost it is this normal now?Cliffs because can't be bothered to write it again.Kasoufs talking as long as u are able to block him with noise cancelling/music isn't a issue.Taking 60 seconds to fold trash every hand annoys everyone except him and hes fully aware of this.Should be banned or put on shot ... See full post

Fact. Had the same displeasure of playing with him too and pretty sure most people know this as it's happened on tv plenty of times before, perhaps not this extreme, but he's a **** of a human being all the time, every time.

by WPNdonk m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59045474#post59045474)

I'd much rather have a 10 second shot clock than a long penalty, especially with anything under 40-50 BBs I'd agree on the mental health stuff that seems overblown, he managed to show up up every day, play presumably halfway decent poker for long hours. He kept it together incredibly well if he's having a major mental health crisis.

Just curious, but you'd prefer the shot clock more if you're Kassouf or if you're the floor? Glad to hear confirmation that Will is a dick at any game he plays. Im sure that because of the pressure he stepped it up but it gives more confirmation this has nothing to do with mental health. Hes just a prick of the biggest kind. I absolutely hate dudes like Ike that will angle anyway they can to gain some equity but I guess its better than Kassoufs behavior. And i like table talk.

by VincentVega m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59045322#post59045322)

People who are making comments about Kassoufs mental health assessment are out of line. Watching him here is not enough evidence to make any serous determination. I think hes just a calculating snake who got owned by his own behavior (being given the 10 second clock-which was a bit much). I say that because if its gotten to the point you have to assign an outrageous individual... See full post

He was also abusing staff. Some people suspect he was taking something. His behavior certainly was far from normal and something seemed off about him. He didn’t stop after he was eliminated either. Trying to tilt his opponents at that point makes no difference because he had gotten eliminated. But his behavior was just as bad.

The 10 second clock was more then reasonable is my eyes. He had plenty of warnings about his stalling antics. I thought the floor was too lenient in a lot of spots with him. Those suggesting 30 secs... that is way to long and they actual did that first. Then he blatantly took all of the 30 secs every single time. Imagine if every player did that for 30 full seconds... it would be horrible. The whole event would play like the bubble, which is unwatchable, unplayable, just terrible all around. Can't let one player, or a handful of players ruin the event for everyone else by intentionally annoying everyone.

Some players do take 30 seconds or more for every decision regardless of their hand. But I guess ill change my mind, maybe 10 seconds preflop then 30 after that. I say this because these guys play that slow almost always. But overall, **** him. Id have let him blind out. Just DQ him after all those complaints.

by zrap m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59046007#post59046007)

The 10 second clock was more then reasonable is my eyes. He had plenty of warnings about his stalling antics. I thought the floor was too lenient in a lot of spots with him. Those suggesting 30 secs... that is way to long and they actual did that first. Then he blatantly took all of the 30 secs every single time. Imagine if every player did that for 30 full seconds... it ... See full post

Yea to be fair I watched under 5 mins of footage total, I just know 10 secs on each street is barely any time but if they gave him 30 secs to start and he abused that as well then so be it. The dude seems like a total douchebag and probably had this coming for many years so it is what it is. He got a nice lesson in learning how to focus on his cards and his play wo talking and trying to put others on tilt....looks like he's not very good at it tho

by Pablito m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59045487#post59045487)

Genuinely no idea why people have sympathy for him. It's not like he got a 10 sec shot clock imposed on him after 1 warning. The dude had 30+ clocks called on him and got tons of warnings. I think he should've been disqualified long before he busted.

Sympathy would be the wrong word for it. I just know that 10 secs on a big turn or river decision is basically 0 time but if anyone earned being put in this spot it sure seems to be him so I don't really have any qualms with the decision esp if as someone else said they already gave him 30 secs per decision and he abused that. If he got banned from the WSOP for life I don't think it would be a poor choice but who knows, he's got a year to make some changes maybe he will

by VincentVega m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59045754#post59045754)

by WPNdonk m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59045474#post59045474)

I'd much rather have a 10 second shot clock than a long penalty, especially with anything under 40-50 BBsI'd agree on the mental health stuff that seems overblown, he managed to show up up every day, play presumably halfway decent poker for long hours. He kept it together incredibly well if he's having a major mental health crisis.

Just curious, but you'd prefer the shot clock m... See full post

I'd prefer the shot clock as the player to a long penalty with a shortstack. If you are deep I think it's arguable. I guess it also depends what you think a long penalty is but I was assuming that meant 3 rounds+

Its pretty sad when the WSOP provides all the players with earplugs and how many times can he say Do you wanna run it twice knowing that is not an option. The mans a first rate jerk though the one ruling I did not agree with was when he stepped behind the dealer to see how many chips the guy had . When you looked at the guys stack from Will's position you could not tell. He asked and in hindsight should have made the dealer check

Trash and horrible for the game

by LucidDream m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59046204#post59046204)

Sympathy would be the wrong word for it. I just know that 10 secs on a big turn or river decision is basically 0 time but if anyone earned being put in this spot it sure seems to be him so I don't really have any qualms with the decision esp if as someone else said they already gave him 30 secs per decision and he abused that. If he got banned from the WSOP for life I don't t... See full post

I doubt he'll be banned for life but he'll be on the tightest leash ever. Especially now that the entire world knows he was tanking total junk preflop and people had to call clock on him for that. He most likely made poker a lot more difficult for himself. by VincentVega m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59046192#post59046192)

Some players do take 30 seconds or more for every decision regardless of their hand. But I guess ill change my mind, maybe 10 seconds preflop then 30 after that. I say this because these guys play that slow almost always. But overall, **** him. Id have let him blind out. Just DQ him after all those complaints.

It's one thing to have a genuine decision on each street and taking your time it's a whole other thing to have a clear preflop fold and tank till someone has to call clock on you. I agree btw, I think he should've been disqualified long before he got busted.

Oh I totally agree. I probably play too fast and get upset with myself when I make a mistake and only took 20-30 seconds to think about it. Since his cards are on camera he has zero excuse to take more than 5 seconds to fold 83o from an utg raise when hes utg+1. Hes despicable and the worst kind of person who believes his time is more valuable than others. I think his "strategy" isn't too tilt as much as it us to tank his way up the ladder though. It accomplishes both however. I see these guys online all the time. And wpndonk, yea of course as the player id rather have the quick shot clock, that's why as the TD Id give him the massive penalty like 1 hour.

by lozen m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59046369#post59046369)

the one ruling I did not agree with was when he stepped behind the dealer to see how many chips the guy had . When you looked at the guys stack from Will's position you could not tell. He asked and in hindsight should have made the dealer check

The part that got me about this was him saying "how else can I tell how many chips he has". The rule is clear that you can't leave your seat during a hand (rule 83: Action Pending: Participants must remain at the table if they still have action pending on a live hand. If a Participant leaves the table before they have acted on their hand, a penalty, in accordance with Rules 40, 113, and 114, will be enforced when the Participant in violation returns to the table. and in Rule 82 it defines: "“At your seat” is defined as being within reach or touch of your chair."). If he wanted to know the chips, he should have said to the dealer: please ask him to stack his chips appropriately so I can make my decision. Then wait for the dealer to do so. Not jump out of your seat to garner more attention, then try to give an excuse for why it was ok for you to break the rules.

by VincentVega m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59046524#post59046524)

Oh I totally agree. I probably play too fast and get upset with myself when I make a mistake and only took 20-30 seconds to think about it. Since his cards are on camera he has zero excuse to take more than 5 seconds to fold 83o from an utg raise when hes utg+1. Hes despicable and the worst kind of person who believes his time is more valuable than others. ... See full post

I actually 100% agree.

Yeah, I totally get where you’re coming from! Kassouf definitely has a unique style, and while some find it entertaining or even strategic, it can come off as obnoxious to others, especially when he's constantly stalling or trying to provoke reactions. It can be frustrating to watch, and I agree that it can mess with the flow of a tournament. As for why people defend him, I think a lot of it comes down to the fact that he’s got this “villain” persona that some people enjoy. There’s always a certain crowd that appreciates someone who’s willing to push the boundaries of what's considered "acceptable" in the game. I mean, poker has always had this element of psychological warfare, and Kassouf definitely leans into that. Some defenders might see him as playing a smart psychological game, even if it’s a bit irritating. They might argue that it’s within the rules and that other players need to learn to deal with it, as part of poker is managing pressure and distractions. There’s also the “tournament poker is entertainment” angle where his antics are seen as adding drama to the event. But I agree that if it becomes the norm, it could really hurt the game. If young players start mimicking his approach without understanding the underlying skills of poker, it could lead to more "nuisance" behavior than actual strategy. It could even turn off casual viewers who just want to watch good poker without all the distractions. So yeah, it definitely seems like there’s a bit of a split—some people see it as clever strategy, while others just see it as poor sportsmanship. It's a bit like the “love him or hate him” phenomenon.

by lozen m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59046369#post59046369)

the one ruling I did not agree with was when he stepped behind the dealer to see how many chips the guy had . When you looked at the guys stack from Will's position you could not tell. He asked and in hindsight should have made the dealer check

No player is entitled to a count of a player’s stack. Have your big chips visible and don’t obstruct their view of your stack. A dealer is not allowed to touch your chips or count your stack. K-ass-OOF was 100% wrong, you do not get out of your chair, walk behind the dealer then stand next to your opponent to look at their chips. Immediate muck and warning warranted.

It would be surprising if they didn't muck his hand for being away from his chair during a hand. Everyone knows you must be in your seat or your hand is dead. He continued to fight this rule by standing at his hand afterward. He's a clown. Troll players fine, pick fights with staff.... you made your bed. They were very lenient.

by VincentVega m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59046192#post59046192)

Some players do take 30 seconds or more for every decision regardless of their hand. But I guess ill change my mind, maybe 10 seconds preflop then 30 after that. I say this because these guys play that slow almost always. But overall, **** him. Id have let him blind out. Just DQ him after all those complaints.

then they need to play faster.

by Ryleigh m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59047294#post59047294)

Yeah, I totally get where you’re coming from! Kassouf definitely has a unique style, and while some find it entertaining or even strategic, it can come off as obnoxious to others, especially when he's constantly stalling or trying to provoke reactions. It can be frustrating to watch, and I agree that it can mess with the flow of a tournament.As for why people defend him, I thin... See full post

If it was just some trash talk on big hands I'm OK with that, people need to toughen up if it bothers them that much. Tanking every single decision including preflop and wasting everyone's time/hands per hour for no reason isn't acceptable. They did the right thing by making it a 10 second clock after he decided to abuse his 30 second clock as well.

by donjonnie m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59043424#post59043424)

Probably not the most well balanced individual but you armchair psychologist are super weird to me.

Wondering how you decided that "not the most well-balanced individual" is not exactly what mental illness is. I'm not an armchair psychologist, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but at least I know that someone who is not balanced does in fact have a mental illness, so you're doing the same thing I did, just with different words that actually mean the same thing.

by NYCNative m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59047455#post59047455)

by donjonnie m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59043424#post59043424)

Probably not the most well balanced individual but you armchair psychologist are super weird to me.

Wondering how you decided that "not the most well-balanced individual" is not exactly what mental illness is.I'm not an armchair psychologist, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but at least I know that someone who is not balanced does in fact have a mental illnes... See full post

You can definitely be unbalanced without having a mental illness. Trying doing a bunch of coke, meth etc

by WPNdonk m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59047490#post59047490)

You can definitely be unbalanced without having a mental illness. Trying doing a bunch of coke, meth etc

Humans come with a lot of variety. Kassouf is clearly not from the normal distribution within 2 standard deviations of the norm. He's an outlier. He brings drama and a villain identity which attracts eyeballs and conversation such as this one. That's a positive for the poker industry. He is also highly disruptive in a manner which challenges the integrity of the game and makes the game unpleasant for people who share the table with him. It wouldn't be shocking to see someone get into a physical altercation with him. We certainly saw something outside the norm with the way Griffin Benger spoke to him in that infamous AA v KK hand. That's a negative. I believe in healthy boundaries which Kassouf does not seem capable of respecting. Were I managing the WSOP, I would sadly feel the need to ban him. Nothing could compromise my priority for a safe environment. He's too unhinged and anti-social. I feel bad for someone whose combination of DNA and traumatic past lead them to such extreme advertisity in their capacity to connect with their fellow humans. Maybe he would benefit from a service animal to comfort him ?

by borg23 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59047391#post59047391)

then they need to play faster.

Yes, and as I said just a couple sentences below i agree. They're dicks that are inconsiderate of others time and the overall flow of the tournament. They only care about their own "EV" (****ing nerds) and nothing else.

I'm not a psychologist but if you think the way Kassouf acts is normal you're a fkn weirdo

by lozen m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59046369#post59046369)

Its pretty sad when the WSOP provides all the players with earplugs and how many times can he say Do you wanna run it twice knowing that is not an option. The mans a first rate jerk though the one ruling I did not agree with was when he stepped behind the dealer to see how many chips the guy had . When you looked at the guys stack from Will's position you could not tell. He ask... See full post

The dealer is only supposed to tell you the total bet you're facing, not how many chips an opponent has remaining. And his opponent is under no obligation to give him a full count, only to ensure his chips are visible

He’s seen by many as a “rebel against the system, ” which is why they defend him — not because of poker, but because of the emotion. But if everyone played like him, poker would die. WSOP is right to step in.

by TampaKn1sh m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042359#post59042359)

Can you imagine if we used Kassouf, Kahbrel and Khan (the three K's, or KKK) to torture prisoners at Guantanamo?

"I'll tell you anything you want! Just SHUT THE **** UP!!!"

by Hardball47 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59050357#post59050357)

"I'll tell you anything you want! Just SHUT THE **** UP!!!"

I'd sing like a canary if they threatened to bring him in, how can anyone tolerate him for as long as those players did? They should all be tested for PTSD.

it is funny how all the pros think hes terrible for the game and the pure recs thinks he fun to watch. hmm i really wonder whats better for the game

by the pleasure m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59052351#post59052351)

it is funny how all the pros think hes terrible for the game and the pure recs thinks he fun to watch. hmm i really wonder whats better for the game

A small minority of recreational players have voiced any support at all for Kassouf. I don’t think there’s much debate here.

by the pleasure m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59052351#post59052351)

it is funny how all the pros think hes terrible for the game and the pure recs thinks he fun to watch. hmm i really wonder whats better for the game

funny how you use a false premise to come to a false conclusion.

by WPNdonk m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59047490#post59047490)

You can definitely be unbalanced without having a mental illness. Trying doing a bunch of coke, meth etc

Okay, so it's terrible to guess that someone might have a mental illness without a license from a clinician but calling someone a junkie without the results of a drug test is perfectly fine, is that the takeaway here?

I think fifty years back he would get two or three times naturally few punches from pissed people, and then he will start behave. There is something wrong with people today. Also only two genders, not 56.

by NYCNative m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59053104#post59053104)

by WPNdonk m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59047490#post59047490)

You can definitely be unbalanced without having a mental illness. Trying doing a bunch of coke, meth etc

Okay, so it's terrible to guess that someone might have a mental illness without a license from a clinician but calling someone a junkie without the results of a drug test is perfectly fine, is that the takeaway here?

I didn't say either were terrible I couldn't care less

by WPNdonk m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59054111#post59054111)

I didn't say either were terrible I couldn't care less

There are tens of thousands of threads on this board I could care less about. I have zero posts in them so forgive me for thinking you had an opinion. Regardless, others in this thread do think it's gauche to opine about his mental state. They can decide if it's any better to opine if he's a junkie, I guess.

by NYCNative m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59054557#post59054557)

by WPNdonk m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59054111#post59054111)

I didn't say either were terrible I couldn't care less

There are tens of thousands of threads on this board I could care less about. I have zero posts in them so forgive me for thinking you had an opinion. Regardless, others in this thread do think it's gauche to opine about his mental state. They can decide if it's any better to opine if he's a junkie, I guess.

Reading comprehension not your strong suit. I have an opinion on Kassouf same as you hence I'm posting here. Learn how to quote the right people who are criticizing you rather than people who arent.

by threebanger m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041556#post59041556)

I would bet there's about a 85/15 political bent to both those who hate him and defend him. People should be able to figure it out.

Interesting take. I'd like to see the numbers on that. I think what you are intimating here is that there is a set of people that are decent, rational people and there are a bunch of uneducated slobs that don't know how to think logically. I agree 100% and any educated person would agree with you.

If we lived in a civilized society this wouldnt even be a thread. But since people like me have to now seemingly have to tolerate absolute animals as part of society, this is where we are. Let me say this and let me be clear, there will be a societal point where educated, logical people will have had enough of these vile illogical beasts. And I welcome that purge from society, whatever form that may take.

by thedude404 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59054769#post59054769)

If we lived in a civilized society this wouldnt even be a thread. But since people like me have to now seemingly have to tolerate absolute animals as part of society, this is where we are. Let me say this and let me be clear, there will be a societal point where educated, logical people will have had enough of these vile illogical beasts. And I welcome that purge from societ... See full post

()

by thedude404 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59054769#post59054769)

If we lived in a civilized society this wouldnt even be a thread. But since people like me have to now seemingly have to tolerate absolute animals as part of society, this is where we are. Let me say this and let me be clear, there will be a societal point where educated, logical people will have had enough of these vile illogical beasts. And I welcome that purge from societ... See full post

()

by thedude404 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59054769#post59054769)

If we lived in a civilized society this wouldnt even be a thread. But since people like me have to now seemingly have to tolerate absolute animals as part of society, this is where we are. Let me say this and let me be clear, there will be a societal point where educated, logical people will have had enough of these vile illogical beasts. And I welcome that purge from societ... See full post

()

by DevWil m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59042371#post59042371)

The thing that some people (including WK) seem to be missing is that the WSOP's rules are written in such a way that they (unsurprisingly) have all of the power. WK's opinion does not matter at all and the particulars of his behavior do not matter at all. If the WSOP decides that his behavior is a problem, they can basically do whatever they want. There's basically only one lim... See full post

Actually, Jack Effel told him in 2016: your speechplay is too advanced for the WSOP rules.

by WPNdonk m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59054740#post59054740)

Reading comprehension not your strong suit. I have an opinion on Kassouf same as you hence I'm posting here. Learn how to quote the right people who are criticizing you rather than people who arent.

Oh, so you have an opinion. But you also don't. I guess you didn't comprehend the posts where others were saying "dimestore psychology BAD?" Because that is what prompted my post you responded to. I comprehended those posts so maybe it's not my comprehension that's the issue here. And maybe you didn't comprehend that others were in the thread to begin with? Because I said this: Regardless, others in this thread do think it's gauche to opine about his mental state. They can decide if it's any better to opine if he's a junkie, I guess.

So maybe you don't care. But others obviously do. I know this because I do, in fact, comprehend things. Try it sometime.

lol Groucho Marx lookalike

by thedude404 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59054769#post59054769)

If we lived in a civilized society this wouldnt even be a thread. But since people like me have to now seemingly have to tolerate absolute animals as part of society, this is where we are. Let me say this and let me be clear, there will be a societal point where educated, logical people will have had enough of these vile illogical beasts. And I welcome that purge from societ... See full post

Yea, it'll be AI in about 20 years when it eliminates all of humanity deeming it unworthy for this planet.

by VincentVega m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59099422#post59099422)

Yea, it'll be AI in about 20 years when it eliminates all of humanity deeming it unworthy for this planet.

Skynet https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skynet_(Te... (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skynet_(Terminator))

by TiltPocketAces m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59041540#post59041540)

Can anyone explain why so many people defend him?

Look, is he annoying? Obviously. Plenty. But speaking strictly as someone watching for both entertainment purposes and for some variety, I admit he’s a bit of a hoot. In a televised poker landscape of nearly identical hoodied, headphoned, silent, sunglasses wearing robots…he’s a breath of fresh air. In a way, televised poker kinda needs someone like him. A crazy, unhinged supervillain. Otherwise it wouldn’t be quite as entertaining. I get that purists want to focus on the gameplay but you need a mental break every once in awhile from the grind. Will provides that outlet. Having said that, a little of him goes a long way and he just gets exhausting to listen to after awhile. If he dialed it back even 20%, he’d be a lot more tolerable.

by FlopOff m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59168605#post59168605)

Look, is he annoying? Obviously. Plenty.But speaking strictly as someone watching for both entertainment purposes and for some variety, I admit he’s a bit of a hoot. In a televised poker landscape of nearly identical hoodied, headphoned, silent, sunglasses wearing robots…he’s a breath of fresh air. In a way, televised poker kinda needs someone like him. A crazy, unhinged superv... See full post

Posts: 1, hmmm, Hi Will!

by FlopOff m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59168605#post59168605)

Look, is he annoying? Obviously. Plenty.But speaking strictly as someone watching for both entertainment purposes and for some variety, I admit he’s a bit of a hoot. In a televised poker landscape of nearly identical hoodied, headphoned, silent, sunglasses wearing robots…he’s a breath of fresh air. In a way, televised poker kinda needs someone like him. A crazy, unhinged superv... See full post

Precisely in the language of a lower-tier law grad from Britain.

by TheFly m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59168904#post59168904)

Posts: 1, hmmm, Hi Will!

I know some people might think that. I’ve been watching old WSOP with family and I did join to post my reaction to Will. I did have a Two + Two account years ago but have been inactive and can’t find my log-in info. Not Will…wish I was. Could use some extra cash. by floatingtheriver m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59169016#post59169016)

Precisely in the language of a lower-tier law grad from Britain.

LMAO. Again, I wish. He certainly has more money than I do. I’m in Texas, not UK. My dream is to play WSOP one day.

by FlopOff m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59168605#post59168605)

Look, is he annoying? Obviously. Plenty.But speaking strictly as someone watching for both entertainment purposes and for some variety, I admit he’s a bit of a hoot. In a televised poker landscape of nearly identical hoodied, headphoned, silent, sunglasses wearing robots…he’s a breath of fresh air. In a way, televised poker kinda needs someone like him. A crazy, unhinged superv... See full post

I know people will hate on this post, but I mostly agree. However, Will has a bit more of dark, incel energy to him compared to Kahbrel, which makes Will a little bit more of a loser and more insufferable.

by josh9308 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59169596#post59169596)

I know people will hate on this post, but I mostly agree. However, Will has a bit more of dark, incel energy to him compared to Kahbrel, which makes Will a little bit more of a loser and more insufferable.

Agreed. I don’t know why but Will seemed particularly unhinged in this latest WSOP. Even Lon or Norman said on the telecast that he really seems to be going through something. He wasn’t as composed as in past years and was completely off the rails, pardon the pun. At times, it was difficult to follow what he was shouting out. It almost feels like Will knows he’s being ridiculous and irrational but he just can’t help himself. I suspect he needs some kind of counseling or something to deal with stress because his entire demeanor was dark for sure.

He’s probably on some kind of “spectrum” tbh. No sane, normal, rational human being would carry on like that nonstop treating others the way he does.

by FlopOff m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59168605#post59168605)

Look, is he annoying? Obviously. Plenty.But speaking strictly as someone watching for both entertainment purposes and for some variety, I admit he’s a bit of a hoot. In a televised poker landscape of nearly identical hoodied, headphoned, silent, sunglasses wearing robots…he’s a breath of fresh air. In a way, televised poker kinda needs someone like him. A crazy, unhinged superv... See full post

The thing is he's not interesting/funny/etc - he just babbles for the sake of babbling - constant word vomit. He's just an annoying loser - if he was entertaining then I'd be all for it but he's like a fly that keeps landing on your face hoping he gets squashed.

i can understand why people watching on tv or stream find him mildy entertaining (everyone loves a trainwreck from time to time.) But i cant help but think of how many people sit at a table with him and then decide im not going to play poker again after this experience. I cant help but think a high percentage of people who find watching it on tv or stream would not enjoy being a part of it at their poker table.

by pokerfan655 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59169837#post59169837)

The thing is he's not interesting/funny/etc - he just babbles for the sake of babbling - constant word vomit. He's just an annoying loser - if he was entertaining then I'd be all for it but he's like a fly that keeps landing on your face hoping he gets squashed.

It works for him because it puts many people on TILT, giving him an edge.

by e1cnr m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59170152#post59170152)

It works for him because it puts many people on TILT, giving him an edge.

It is always a pity when anyone has to resort to behaving like a sack to gain an edge.

by omgredbaron m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59170144#post59170144)

I cant help but think a high percentage of people who find watching it on tv or stream would not enjoy being a part of it at their poker table.

100%. Fun on TV…not so fun in person. I don’t mind a bit of chit chat during hands but oh my, those players at my table who won’t shut up…ever. We’ve all been there. Certainly not as bad as Will but yeah, it might be funny to observe on TV. Not funny to be at an actual table with the person. by MarkDavis m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59170170#post59170170)

It is always a pity when anyone has to resort to behaving like a sack to gain an edge.

This is true. Honestly, I’ve been focused so much on his ridiculous speeches each time he’s been featured on the telecasts that I can’t even tell if he’s a decent player or not (I guess that’s a side effect of his shtick, right?). He wants that distraction. I mean, I think he’s made it pretty far in at least 2 WSOP’s (unless I’m wrong), so he has to have something going for him. You can run super hot once but hard to explain him away twice. Anyone who’s watched his hands in detail…does he have any talent? What’s his strengths, if any?

If someone stops playing poker because they had a bad experience with 1 out of thousands of players in a tournament they were just looking for an excuse to quit poker. Most people will just chalk it up to "this guy is a douchebag, hope I dont happen to be on his table again". If you are a rec, the chance of being seated with the same player twice is minuscule, unless you are playing in some kind of british tourney series where Kassouf is a regular. I dont like Kassouf much but I think hes a net positive for poker. The people who dislike him are mostly people who are already quite a bit into poker, and dislike that hes breaking etiquette and being a nuisance. They wont stop playing poker because of Kassouf. The people who like him are mostly recs who find the monotony of televised professional poker off putting and like that he causes some chaos.

by e1cnr m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59170152#post59170152)

It works for him because it puts many people on TILT, giving him an edge.

I mean maybe but being an ******* in life for small edges is pretty pathetic. Furthermore most would get annoyed by his non stop babble and stop playing with him - that's certainly not a good move longterm.

by Kebabkungen m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59170366#post59170366)

I dont like Kassouf much but I think hes a net positive for poker.

I agree I think he was a net positive like 10 years ago or whenever it was, with the “9-high like a boss” and the mild speech play. However this past summer was just beyond the pale and way out of bounds.

Kassouf is ten times times more annoying than anyone who has ever played poker....except that really ugly former 2+2er with bad teeth and breath who made the final couple of tables in the main event a few years ago....the guy who wouldn't bathe....lost set over set to bust to the eventual winner, I think. Can't remember his name

Stealthmunk

by feel wrath m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59176950#post59176950)

Stealthmunk

whos breathe you think smells better

by MarkDavis m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59170170#post59170170)

It is always a pity when anyone has to resort to behaving like a sack to gain an edge.

Right. Something is wrong with those who think its ok to exploit anything they can in order to tilt/gain an edge. Its like that dude Ike, who wears a mask still 5 years after the vaccine came out. I was playing with a dude at Caesars last month who was also wearing a mask, then he walks right outside the poker room in a crowd of people and removes it when he is more likely to contract something. Just pathetic man. If you have to try your hardest to annoy people just to try and win its piss poor behavior and shows that youre a scared little boy. Just beat others at the game, be talkative but dont be a dick just to win

by VincentVega m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59177168#post59177168)

Right. Something is wrong with those who think its ok to exploit anything they can in order to tilt/gain an edge. Its like that dude Ike, who wears a mask still 5 years after the vaccine came out. I was playing with a dude at Caesars last month who was also wearing a mask, then he walks right outside the poker room in a crowd of people and removes it when he is more likely to ... See full post

It's weird to be so tilted by a face mask. Especially without understanding the context.

by Spud Gun m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59177207#post59177207)

It's weird to be so tilted by a face mask. Especially without understanding the context.

People also get tilted by Vogelsang's stupid hoodie. Ike's mask is the same thing.

I only had a problem with him when he called the table a "bunch of pussy's". Totally out of line! You should never be allowed to call people at the table something you have never seen before. Seriously, he couldn't pick one correctly from a lineup consisting of 4 homeless guys and a pile of roast beef.

What a clown

by Spud Gun m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59177207#post59177207)

It's weird to be so tilted by a face mask. Especially without understanding the context.

Im not tilted and there is no context, hes a loser who doesnt want to give off tells in a low limit game. Even though its high limit, haxton shouldn't wear one either. Its totally against the spirit of the game. Im not the 1st to say something about it. Just like trying to tilt people to get an edge. He took it right off after walking out into a smoke filled casino surrounded by 10x as many people. Ill drop it from my side though, as this is off topic now

by VincentVega m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59179460#post59179460)

Im not tilted and there is no context, hes a loser who doesnt want to give off tells in a low limit game. Even though its high limit, haxton shouldn't wear one either. Its totally against the spirit of the game. Im not the 1st to say something about it. Just like trying to tilt people to get an edge. He took it right off after walking out into a smoke filled casino surrounded b... See full post

I see the point your making and agree it is annoying when idiots go out of their way to wind ppl up. In the past I would have been tilted by stuff like that but these days I just mentally tag them as a wanker and move on.

For clarity, the mask thing isnt meant to tilt just gain an advantage in a sketchy way. Kassoufs nonsense is meant to do both. I like a little **** talking at the table, hes just more purposefully annoying. Like a little kid asking "why" over and over

by VincentVega m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59179557#post59179557)

For clarity, the mask thing isnt meant to tilt just gain an advantage in a sketchy way. Kassoufs nonsense is meant to do both. I like a little **** talking at the table, hes just more purposefully annoying. Like a little kid asking "why" over and over

Well said. It’s the repetitiveness of Kassouf that is excessive. You can get a little trash talk or “speech play” in if that’s your bag without belaboring things on and on and making the atmosphere miserable for everyone within earshot.

by the pleasure m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59052351#post59052351)

it is funny how all the pros think hes terrible for the game and the pure recs thinks he fun to watch. hmm i really wonder whats better for the game

ding ding ding ding

I seriously doubt kasouf has a normie fan club

by rickroll m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59223411#post59223411)

by the pleasure m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59052351#post59052351)

it is funny how all the pros think hes terrible for the game and the pure recs thinks he fun to watch. hmm i really wonder whats better for the game

ding ding ding ding

Watch being the key word.

Well it's 2026 and the WSOP schedule is out....... Will Will be allowed to play this year? Have there been announcements made? SHOULD he be allowed to play? Should he have to write a letter/make some commitment/start off ALREADY on a short leash?

by swivet m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59240558#post59240558)

Well it's 2026 and the WSOP schedule is out....... Will Will be allowed to play this year? Have there been announcements made? SHOULD he be allowed to play? Should he have to write a letter/make some commitment/start off ALREADY on a short leash?

li I don't think they will ban him. His entries make them money, like any other player. Maybe they will watch him closer though, and be quicker to react if it spirals out of control like it definately did in the Main last year. On another note Kassouf seems to be fairly active, and has around 10 cashes to his name since the Main on Hendon Mob. Nothing very exciting though: It seems he plays mostly midstakes and best cash is a $5K for 9th place in a $400 at London poker festival.

I actually played with him a few months ago, and he was pretty chill at the table, some verbal stuf but nothing extreme . No cameras probably helped maybe idk

I have played with him as well. He actually put me out of a tournament, when he had AA on the button to my QQ in the big blind. The most annoying thing to me was constant talking when it was his opponents' action, taking away your opportunity to think properly. In my spot I was always going broke anyway, but that part of his game was very irritating.

Saw him walk into the Provence room the other day for the Mini Main. Early enough that most tables still had an open seat or two. There was palpable relief as he walked past tables to get to his seat. I will say though that from two tables away I didn’t hear a peep.

I dont understand how people have such a low ability to tune out noise that they "cant think" because some random guy is chattering on the other end of the table. Even though hes talking to you doesnt mean you have to listen.

by Kebabkungen m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59349237#post59349237)

I dont understand how people have such a low ability to tune out noise that they "cant think" because some random guy is chattering on the other end of the table. Even though hes talking to you doesnt mean you have to listen.

Why can't you tune out this thread if you think it's so easy? Even though it exists doesnt mean you have to respond to it.

by Kebabkungen m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59349237#post59349237)

I dont understand how people have such a low ability to tune out noise that they "cant think" because some random guy is chattering on the other end of the table. Even though hes talking to you doesnt mean you have to listen.

As someone who plays quickly, and doesn't often if ever "Tank" I'm with you. Granted I only play cash, but never in my life have I been disturbed my table talk. I've never asked people to stop, even if like I'm in S2 and S1 and S3 are talking loudly to each other and I'm facing a bet. Who cares

by Kebabkungen m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59349237#post59349237)

I dont understand how people have such a low ability to tune out noise that they "cant think" because some random guy is chattering on the other end of the table. Even though hes talking to you doesnt mean you have to listen.

I guarantee you have never played with one of these types ever in a big stakes tourney

by Kebabkungen m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59349237#post59349237)

I dont understand how people have such a low ability to tune out noise that they "cant think" because some random guy is chattering on the other end of the table. Even though hes talking to you doesnt mean you have to listen.

I don't understand someone not being able to show a tiny amount of respect and shut up for a few seconds while someone is obviously in a big spot. You can yammer away the other 95% of the time and simply be annoying, not taking the next step to being a completely insufferable low impulse douchebag.

by Rmbxr9 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59349461#post59349461)

As someone who plays quickly, and doesn't often if ever "Tank" I'm with you. Granted I only play cash, but never in my life have I been disturbed my table talk. I've never asked people to stop, even if like I'm in S2 and S1 and S3 are talking loudly to each other and I'm facing a bet. Who cares

Cash is entirely different. You have a single hand at stake, rather than a "tournament life", and there is no clock. For most of us, the WSOP Main is at most a once-a-year opportunity, and deep in the money more like a once-a-decade opportunity. Personally I know I will get a big decision right much more often if given a respectful minute or so of silence, compared to a barrage of questions.

by Punker m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59349429#post59349429)

Why can't you tune out this thread if you think it's so easy? Even though it exists doesnt mean you have to respond to it.

In this forum, the point is to read whats being said and respond to it. So I dont tune out. In a poker tournament, the point is to focus on the action and respond accordingly. So I tune out. I can easily tune in when I want and out when I want, which is apparently not a universal skill. Theres something called attention training; you should give it a go.

Everyone who played with him and the tournament officials that dealt with him felt differently and they even modified a rule to deal with his conduct. Clearly you have uniquely developed a talent to “tune out” someone at the poker table that the rest of the poker world has not. It should suit you well at the next WSOP you play but don’t get all upset at the commentators or the Negreanu nut huggers that seem to bother you so much online. We look forward to watching you practice your attention training skillset at the tables.

by Rimlog m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59355058#post59355058)

Cash is entirely different. You have a single hand at stake, rather than a "tournament life", and there is no clock.For most of us, the WSOP Main is at most a once-a-year opportunity, and deep in the money more like a once-a-decade opportunity.Personally I know I will get a big decision right much more often if given a respectful minute or so of silence, compared to a barrage ... See full post

There is a clock in cash games.

by BrickMMA m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59355443#post59355443)

There is a clock in cash games.

Apologies - haven't seen one called.

by Rimlog m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59356224#post59356224)

Apologies - haven't seen one called.

Saw one today, lol. But all good. BTW, Will seems to have been completely beat down and his behavior has improved.

by BrickMMA m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59355443#post59355443)

There is a clock in cash games.

Sure you can call a clock in cash. But the 'no cash clock' typically refers to the lack of levels increasing. IOW the time someone consumed doesn't have impact beyond the current hand (though dealer may think differently due to tokes). There is no ticking clock forcing action due to increasing blinds.

by Kebabkungen m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59349237#post59349237)

I dont understand how people have such a low ability to tune out noise that they "cant think" because some random guy is chattering on the other end of the table. Even though hes talking to you doesnt mean you have to listen.

table talk (NOT ILLEGAL STALLING) works specifically because of all the weak minded players in tournaments, guys scared by medium/high cash tables. if these players weren't tourney infants they could easily counter this strategy and use it against the table talker. in cash games the speech play guys would just annihilate the weak stuff that works for kassouf in tournaments. If kassouf types got to a big final table with the dnegs/iveys/schwartz of the world they would literally pay him to keep talking (NOT ILLEGAL STALLING) , keep munching those oreos

by BrickMMA m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59357424#post59357424)

Saw one today, lol. But all good. BTW, Will seems to have been completely beat down and his behavior has improved.

There was a lot of talk last year about some combination of lack of sleep and medication (illicit or otherwise) on his part. Maybe he just got a few good night's sleep this year.

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To be fair, he never won enough hands this year to get any chirping chips. I don’t know if he played other events than the main.

Why doesn’t/didn’t the WSOP just ban this clown?

by jjjou812 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59359488#post59359488)

To be fair, he never won enough hands this year to get any chirping chips. I don’t know if he played other events than the main.

He was 1 table over from me in the 800$ summer bash on the 3rd. No idea if he was chatting really as obv im not paying attention to their table, but he at least wasn't loud enough/obnoxious to garner attention from one table over. Just passed me as I was waiting for the break to be over. I think because the main event carries all the cameras and attention, he really ramps it up. Its all an act.

Why has nobody taken this clown to the back alley?

Because for reasons some players including pros think that he is "good for game", apparently because he can get attention. I think most casuals see him and decide never play poker again.

by ez2cy m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59400227#post59400227)

Why has nobody taken this clown to the back alley?

Why bother?

the real question is why have TDs not done enough to quiet this jackass?

like this?

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People like Will (with Will being an extreme case) are the main reason I never got into tournament poker