Poker Streamer Kicked Out for Microsoft Office Shenanigans
Streamer Prohibited by WPT Global for Employing Real-Time Aid in Poker Games
The world of online poker just got a little bit more complicated. Irish poker streamer, Alan Finn (AlanFPoker), recently found himself in hot water while streaming at WPT Global. The reason? A couple of unassuming windows popped up on his screen, each showing range charts — a helpful tool for making poker decisions. Caught red-handed, Finn was swiftly banned from the platform.
These charts were none other than Microsoft Excel files, with one labeled "WPT RANGE v2.0" and the other bearing the peculiar name "xMoms Shopping List." The act was tantamount to playing with fire, as Finn's viewers had an eyeful of these range charts.
WPT Global didn't hesitate to enforce their strict rules, banning Finn minutes afterwards. Patrons of the poker community were given a glimpse of the incident when poker pro, Patrick Leonard, posted a screenshot on his account. However, it was soon taken down, with Leonard commenting, "I deleted the tweet, no need to publicly destroy him. @wpt_global took action within 30 minutes, so good job to them. Let's hope he learns from it."
A Question of Fairness?
Opinions are divided within the poker community as to whether or not Finn's ban was warranted. To set the record straight, the type of range spreadsheets Finn flaunted are indeed proscribed at WPT Global. The site's rules explicitly state:
"Players are forbidden from utilizing devices or external player assistance (EPA) programs that manipulate gameplay on the site and give the player an unfair advantage. Players shall make their own decisions during the game, without resorting to information obtained outside their own play."
While Finn's actions seem relatively tame compared to other real-time assistance (RTA) users, there is a significant difference. If we assume nothing else was amiss, these static spreadsheets are not as cutting-edge as other RTA tools. They can be likened to blackjack strategy cards, which are often handed out by casinos without a second thought.
If Finn was merely consulting the charts, he was not relying on real-time assistance from a computer program. Instead, he was using notes.
However, WPT Global's rule considers such charts as "information obtained outside the Player's own play." Certain platforms do, in fact, allow players to consult pre-flop range charts — as long as these charts do not automate decision-making.
Finn has since erased the video of his stream. Despite the controversy, it appears that both Finn and WPT Global are moving on. Game on!
- In 2025, there might be heated debates in casino-and-gambling circles about the fairness of banning a player for using pre-flop range charts, comparing it to the unbothered distribution of blackjack strategy cards in physical casinos.
- Risking a potential ban, Alan Finn, the poker streamer infamous for his Microsoft Office Shenanigans, could be seen engaging in a game of poker-games at a possible casino-and-gambling establishment, consulting his trusted pre-flop range chart.
- With newer advancements in casino-games and online poker platforms, Finn might find himself in a different situation, where the use of pre-flop range charts is not considered a violation of the site's rules, enabling him to make calculated decisions without fear of being kicked out.
- As a consequence of the controversy surrounding his ban for using pre-flop range charts, Finn may someday witness the evolution of casino-gaming regulations, motivating him to reflect on the implications of his actions and participate in discussions about fair play in the world of casino-and-gambling.
