After his exit Saturday night from this year's World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event at Paris & Horseshoe Las Vegas, Will Kassouf was removed from the venue and prohibited from participating in the rest of the series, which consists of five additional tournaments. Officials stated that the contentious British poker professional insulted his rivals and delayed play to such an extent that it breached WSOP regulations regarding player behavior.
Kassouf started Day 6 ranked in the Top 10 with almost 7 million chips, but his 2025 Main Event journey will be noted mainly for his WWE-style conversation at the table, featuring taunts directed at rivals — including one he referred to as “a prick” — and bold remarks following knockouts.
Kassouf faced multiple penalties for excessively delaying his actions (tanking). On Day 2, for instance, he spent over 10 minutes determining how to play a powerful hand (king-high flush).
Rule 40 of the 2025 WSOP regulations forbids actions that disturb the game or provide an unfair edge, while Rule 107 mandates players to respond promptly to ensure game flow continuity.
On Friday, Kassouf was given a one-round penalty for disputing with a player that he was timed out too fast. Once the play was over, Kassouf clashed with WSOP VP Jeck Effel, who instructed him to “accept your one-round penalty and be silent,” warning that if his interruptions persisted, “I will have security remove you and you will be disqualified.”
On Saturday, Kassouf was eliminated in 33rd place with $300,000 after his pocket sevens lost to chip leader Kenny Hallaert’s king-five on the turn.
“He’s a PokerStars professional sponsored player,” Kassouf then announced to the crowd and livestream audience. “King-five, well played. What an absolute disgrace — a fucking joke.”
While he continued to refer to everyone at the table as “little bitches,” a chorus of “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” emerged from the sidelines.
Kassouf was subsequently notified of his suspension and was accompanied to the payout desk by security along with two Las Vegas police officers.
Poker Community Divided
Kassouf’s performance was both criticized and praised on social media. Proponents claimed it enhanced the game's enjoyment and revealed the dullness of silent play, whereas opponents considered it disruptive and unprofessional.
Sam Coe tweeted: “These have definitely been the most engaging days of poker I have ever seen. Will Kassouf deserves to be appreciated, yet the poker enthusiasts are fuming since they can't generate even 1% of his charisma. The WSOP is entirely inappropriate with several of these decisions.
Poker pro Derek Kwan vehemently opposed, tweeting: “Anyone supporting Kassouf at this moment should view the stream. He receives his cards, and rather than making a play, he’s simply arguing with everyone around him—table companions, staff, anyone—despite no one paying attention to him or engaging in conversation. He’s spending 30-40 seconds before with 85o just shouting at the sky. He’s been cautioned countless times; the floor must dedicate all their time to him, while his table mates are likely playing about 20% fewer hands and probably all performing worse *against each other* due to this madness. "It's completely, totally out of order."
Kassouf’s suspension bars him from participating in the $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha (Event #91), the $1,979 Poker Hall of Fame Bounty (Event #92), the $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed Championship (Event #94), the $800 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack (Event #95), and the $1,500 The Closer (Event #97).
It remains uncertain if he will be permitted to participate in the WSOP Paradise, occurring in the Bahamas from Dec. 4-18.
The WSOP Main Event is set to conclude on Wednesday.
