When does poker coaching go too far? That’s the question many players are considering after reports surfaced last week that Jonathan Tamayo’s team on the rail used solvers he was able to look at in between hands at times during the final table of the World Series of Poker Main Event
Some noted that this type of play was bad for the game and gave Tamayo an unfair advantage. Some feel these types of aides should be banned in the tournament area. Others questioned the ethics involved in consulting the high-tech programs while playing.
“I'd rather see the amateur guy win on his own than see this pic,” Mike Matusow noted on Twitter of a photo featuring Tamayo with his team consulting a solver. He also added: “This is such a bad look for poker! I’d truly rather lose then look at this in between hands and that’s a fact!”
Efforts Draw Criticism
Several players echoed or agreed with some of those sentiments, including Daniel Negreanu, Kathy Liebert, Phil Hellmuth, Mason Malmuth, Jen Shahade, and others. Most online poker operators ban the use of RTA (real-time assistance) programs and apps.
The official WSOP rules also ban using RTA while in a hand. That doesn't necessarily include other hands in a tournament, but some think better clarification is needed to bar these types of aides.
Some Say Nothing New
However, Patrick Leonard noted that coaching is normal on the rails in between hands. He also said the issue may be gaining so much traction because laptops were involved.
Dominik Nitsche served as one of Tamayo’s coaches, along with 2015 Main Event winner Joe McKeehen, and believes there is too much being made of the issue.
“Just game time adjustments and strategic reminders,” he noted on Twitter of his efforts. “Nothing fancy. Mainly to help him execute with more confidence. I'm loving all the conspiracy theories I'm getting. People think i'm running hands.”
