After this summer’s World Series of Poker main event win by Jonathan Tamayo, the series has announced some changes for the upcoming WSOP Paradise in the Bahamas regarding outside help and the use of electronic assistance while at the tables.
A controversy arose after Tamayo appeared to be receiving real-time assistance (RTA) from poker pros Joe McKeehen and Dominik Nitsche while playing at the final table. That included scanning a laptop that the pair kept at the rail.
The new rule now notes: “Players and spectators are not allowed to use charts, apps, or any other form of electronic assistance in the tournament room. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in a penalty up to disqualification for the player and removal from the tournament room for the spectator. Spectators are also prohibited from providing live assistance or coaching. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in a penalty for the player and removal from the rail for the spectator.”
The change also noted that spectators will not be able to view live streams of the action on an electronic device or use RTA.
The new Tamayo rule adds some further preventative measures including not allowing players to place cell phones or electronic devices on the table or rail. This comes after a recent case that saw two men arrested in France for allegedly using phones to secretly film cards being dealt at various casinos across Europe. Several high-stakes poker pros believe they may have been cheated by opponents using this method.
The WSOP is also now banning the use of electronic devices at the table at all when the field reaches three tables. During hand-for-hand play, players leaving their seats must exit the tournament area and are now restricted from viewing the action at other tables.
The new rules will likely carry over in some form to the live series next summer in Las Vegas, and comes after GGPoker recently completed a purchase of the WSOP brand.