Potential Cheating Scandal Hits the Live Poker World

A high-stakes poker cash game hit the headlines for the wrong reasons last week with allegations of cheating in a live-streamed game. Cash game guru Garrett Adelstein lost a US$269,000 pot, which left him scratching his head. Furthermore, the hand was so bizarre that some online poker specialists stated there is no way cheating did not take place.

The hand in question took place at the Hustler Casino in Los Angeles, United States. The luxury casino is well known for its high-stakes casino games in addition to the Hustler Casino Live cash game stream. Blinds were US$100/US$200/US$400 with a US$400 big blinds ante, plus a US$800 straddle. Adelstein raised to $3,000 with 8c-7c, and Robbi Jade Lew called with Jc-4h. The flop fell Th-Tc-9c, Adelstein bet US$2,500, and Lew called. Adelstein bet US$10,000 on the 3h turn, Lew raised to US$20,000, and Adelstein moved all-in for US$109,000. Lew called with nothing but jack-high, and won the massive pot despite tice running the river.

Lew’s ridiculous call bamboozled Adelstein, who is considered one of the best live cash game players of all time.

“I don’t understand what’s happening right now,” Adelstein said. He then asked Lew for the reasoning behind the call.

“Ace-high. I thought you had ace-high,” responded Lew.

“So, then why call with jack-high?”

Allegations of Cheating Follow

Adelstein and Lew left the table, and the live-stream viewers threw about cheating allegations. Lew has since claimed Adelstein demanded his money back because he of Lew’s potential cheating. Lew felt she had to give Adelstein $177,000 for the good of the game, despite fervently denying any cheating.

Joey Ingram, a former poker pro who has run several investigations into online poker sites fired up his popular podcast in the aftermath of the potential cheating scandal. Shaun Deeb, one of the best grinders to play online poker, joined Ingram and Lew on the podcast. Deeb threw around a handful of cheating allegations, all of which Lew denied.

Lew continually denies any wrongdoing. However, many of her comments contradict one another.

Adelstein has since taken to the popular TwoPlusTwo poker forums where he put his side across. Known as “Gman,” Adelstein makes a great case showing blatant cheating during the game. Furthermore, Adelstein is taking legal action because he feels this was not an isolated cheating case.

The saga went viral across several American website, and even on the BBC News website. Only yesterday, the cheating scandal made it into the BBC’s Have I Got News For You comedy panel show. It is clear discussions about this hand will continue for some time yet.

Scandal Hit the Chess World

It is not only the poker world hit by cheating allegations because elite-level chess finds itself under the spotlight. Hans Niemann admitted he cheated during 100 online chess games but claims to have never cheated in a live setting.

Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen does not believe the last statement, and recently walked out of a game against Niemann.

Carlson and Niemann played against each other in the Sinquefield Cup in early September. Niemann defeated Carlsen in what was a major upset. Nineteen-year-old Niemann inflicted Carlen’s first defeat in 53 competitive games. Carlsen believes Niemann cheated in order to win, and publicly accused him a few days later.

“I’m frustrated. I want to continue to play chess at the highest level in the best events,” Carlsen penned on Twitter. “I believe that cheating in chess is a big deal and an existential threat to the game. I also believe that chess organizers and all those who care about the sanctity of the game we love should seriously consider increasing security measures and methods of cheat detection for over-the-board chess.”

Carlsen ended his statement with, “I believe Niemann has cheated more and more recently than he has publicly admitted.”