Poker is a game that has been played by millions over the years all around the globe, but with a lot of players competing to be the best of the best in some of the world’s leading competitions, takes time to get to the top. In this article, we will be looking into some of the most scandalous poker players in recent years that have seen their fair share of controversy both this year and in year past.
Tony G
When looking at poker in recent years, it is Tony G that is one of the most polarising poker players in the industry. Known for his brash behaviour and not being afraid to speak his mind, this player has had a number of high-profile clashes with other world-famous players such as Phil Hellmuth Jr. With his first win at a WSOP event in 2004, this star player then went on to cash in at a number of other major events, making him one of the most successful poker players on the world stage.
Part of what makes this man a success is the mind games that he uses to his advantage. With a verbal barrage used to unsettle his opponents as well as a difficult tactic to follow in a number of games he is often seen as the Marmite of poker, you either love him or you hate him.
Mike Postle
Another player that has had a rough time when it comes to poker in the last year or so is Mike Postle. With cheating allegations coming from one of the ex-employees at Stones Live, this has seen a number of other establishments raising the flag when it comes to Postle’s behaviour. It is alleged that the poker superstar used an unknown device as well as the inside knowledge of those working at Stones Gambling Hill in California to help him achieve this level of success. Another suggestion for such cheating allegations is the track record of those playing video poker with similar odds. This shows the success rate of Postle much higher than that of a traditional poker player or those that are playing video poker.
Though Postle has denied such allegation at this time, there is set to be a court case in the near future. Though this may not be able to definitively prove whether this poker star is cheating or not, this will almost certainly have a profound effect on his career in the long term.
Jamie Gold
As one of the most popular names in Poker at this time, Jamie Gold has become one of the most popular in recent years. With a victory at the world series in 2006 with winnings of $12 million, this star player is by far one of the most noticeable. However, this player has had very few victories since then which is suspicious to many as some think there may have been some foul play involved. Though this has not yet been proven, this does seem very strange for a pro of his level.
Additionally, his emotions often get the better of him during a game with emotions often being shown through bad language, making him one of the more controversial people to play with at the table.
Phil Hellmuth Jr
The next player on this list that has had a somewhat turbulent career is Phil Hellmuth. Throughout his career thus far, Hellmuth has gained 11 WSOP branded Bracelets to his name, however, this does not land him on the list of some of the best poker players in the world. However, this player has been linked to a number of scandals for his misbehaviour at the poker table. This comes after one of the poker players somehow managed to win the grand cash prize despite having one of the worst hands at the table.
Vanessa Selbst
The final player that has earned their rightful spot on this list is Vanessa Selbst. This superstar is often referred to as the female Phil Hellmuth and has also been known to react to losing badly. Although she has won three WOSP bracelets, her aggressive nature id often her downfall as playing aggressively means that she is easier to read. This, therefore, has led to her being one of the most controversial players on this list as he is often seen as being too aggressive when at the table.
With this in mind, there are a number of players that have had their fair share of controversy over the years that have led them to be some of the biggest players in the world. But could this mean the downfall of their career early?
