Online Poker Platform Suspends Broadcaster Accused of Utilizing Real-Time Assistance Charts During Gameplay
Rewritten Article:
WPT Global Takes a Firm Stand Against Real-Time Assistance (RTA) Tools
In the vast world of online poker, WPT Global, one of the gaming giants, drew a line in the sand. Using any tool, software, or service that could be deemed a form of real-time assistance (RTA) is strictly forbidden on their platform.
Recently, a Twitch streamer was found to have some kind of chart visible during a low-stakes game. This led to an immediate ban, announced on X, causing a stir among some who questioned the move given the charts were Excel spreadsheets.
Finn's Flick: The Twitch Ban
The poker player at the center of the storm is Alan Finn, famously known as "AlanFPoker" on Twitch. With a following of 2,700, this Irish poker pro swarms online poker tables, dominantly low-stakes cash games on WPT Global.
Finn, not much of a live tournament player, has secured just $3,200 cashes. Patrick Leonard, a poker pro, posted screenshots that seemingly showed potential RTA charts displayed on Finn's computer during a Sunday stream.
The internet buzzed with skepticism. The charts, both titled "Moms Shopping List" and "WPT Range", were in Excel spreadsheet form – far from an app tailored for providing real-time hand assistance. However, these charts did show some analysis of hand ranges, regardless of their form.
Rule 9.2 of the WPT Global rulebook states:
"Players are prohibited from using devices such as robots or any other external player assistance (EPAs) program that distort normal play on the site and give the player an unfair advantage. Players are required to make their own decisions when playing, without the aid of any information other than that obtained during the Players' own play."
Finn has since erased the controversial stream, leaving silent on the matter. WPT Global's X account, however, has been vocal, calling for people to "keep the game alive" after announcing the ban.
The debate over RTA tools has been heating up, with some poker sites seeming less concerned with combating cheating. An example in point is ACR Poker, an illegal US-facing poker site operated by Phil Nagy. They let go of one of their top ambassadors, Nacho Barbero, months after he was caught playing online with an RTA chart visible. But Barbero wasn't fired for using an RTA; rather, he was dismissed for publicly revealing the site's apparent disregard for the issue. Finn, who wasn't an ambassador for WPT Global, remains unclear as to whether he had any significant edge from the Excel spreadsheet charts. However, his case strengthens the claim that WPT Global will hold firm on Rule 9.2.
- The gaming giant, WPT Global, has since implemented a strict ban on the use of any tools, software, or services that can be considered real-time assistance (RTA) in their online poker platform.
- In a recent Twitch stream, Alan Finn, a prominent poker player on WPT Global, was accused of using potential RTA charts, with titles like "Moms Shopping List" and "WPT Range," visible during a low-stakes game, leading to his immediate ban from the platform.
- The charts, which were in Excel spreadsheet form, raised some skepticism among viewers, as they did show some analysis of hand ranges but appeared to be far from a specialized software designed for providing real-time hand assistance.
- Meanwhile, WPT Global continues to be vocal about enforcing their rule against the use of external player assistance (EPA) programs, which distort normal play and give players an unfair advantage, as stated in Rule 9.2 of their rulebook.
- The count of banned players from using RTA tools has increased notably lately, with even prominent ambassadors, like Nacho Barbero of ACR Poker, being purged, raising concerns about the growing normalization of using such tools in some poker sites.
