Will Kassouf WSOP Ban: Annoying or Illegal?
Few poker players divide opinion like Will Kassouf. His nonstop “speech-play” – the art of talking opponents into mistakes – made him famous in 2016 and infamous ever since. In July 2025 the World Series of Poker (WSOP) finally escorted him from the Main Event floor and barred him from the remainder of the series. But did he actually break any rules, or was his ban simply punishment for being irritating? This piece unpacks what happened, what the WSOP rule-book allows, and whether tournament directors have legal ground to silence the game’s most persistent chatterbox.
Will Kassouf WSOP 2025 Key Incidents
| Date (2025) | Incident | Penalty Issued |
|---|---|---|
| 7 July | Ten-minute tank with a king-high flush on Day 2; clock called twice. | Official warning and a reduced 10-second shot-clock for future decisions. |
| 12 July (Day 7) | Lengthy debate with tournament staff; Kassouf claims opponents “can’t take it.” | Multiple-round penalty (had to post blinds while away from the table). |
| 12 July (later) | Busted the Main Event; security escorted him from the venue. | Barred from all remaining 2025 WSOP events. |
Which WSOP Rules Cover Speech-Play?
2.1 Rule 116 – Talking Strategy
Players must not divulge their exact hand, coach another player, or seek strategic advice while a hand is live.
2.2 Rule 119 – Etiquette & Pace
“Excessive chatter” or behaviour that delays or disrupts play can earn escalating penalties, up to disqualification.
2.3 Rule 18 (2025 update) – Director Discretion
Staff may exclude a player from any event “before, during, or after” play for abusive conduct or repeated rules violations.
3 Does Will Kassouf’s Table Talk Violate These Rules?
- Legal if… he talks without revealing card values, coaching others, or using abusive language.
- Grey area… provocative needling or long tanks can become disruptive and trigger Rule 119 penalties.
- Illegal when… talk causes repeated delays, contains personal abuse, or ignores staff directives.
Across multiple days Kassouf received warnings for slowing the game and antagonising opponents. When the pattern continued, staff escalated to round penalties, then ejection under Rule 18. Importantly, he was not punished for talk itself but for the disruptive effect of that talk combined with excessive stalling.
Past Precedent: The 2016 WSOP One-Round Penalty
Kassouf’s legend began in 2016 when he talked a rival into folding pocket queens and proclaimed “nine-high like a boss.” Tournament staff issued a one-orbit penalty for “advising play” and slowing action – establishing that speech-play is acceptable only up to the point it interferes with another player’s decision.
Free Speech vs Fair Play
| Factor | Supports Talking | Supports Penalties |
|---|---|---|
| Entertainment value | Colourful characters boost viewer numbers. | Endless delays frustrate both field and audience. |
| Game integrity | Mind games are part of poker tradition. | Slow play and harassment harm competitive fairness. |
| Rule enforcement | Speech is permitted unless it breaks specific clauses. | Directors must act when warnings fail. |
Is a Will Kassouf WSOP Ban Justified?
The WSOP rule-book gives officials clear authority to remove players whose behaviour persists after warnings. Kassouf’s 2025 ejection followed that graduated ladder: warning → orbit penalties → removal. While his speech-play itself is not automatically illegal, combining it with prolonged tanks and heated exchanges tipped him into Rule 119 and ultimately Rule 18 territory.
For a series-wide ban to extend beyond 2025, organisers would need to show that Kassouf’s future conduct remains disruptive. Without new infractions, reinstatement next summer is plausible. In the end, poker thrives on personality – but only when that personality respects the flow and fairness of the game.
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Chris Vaughan is a Senior Writer and Editor at GamblingAuthority. He has more than 18 years of experience in the iGaming industry and has great knowledge of game developers, trending games and casino research.
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