It Is Curtains for RTA as WSOP Makes Significant Rule Changes
The story that dominated the poker world during the summer is back in the headlines. The spotlight fell on the use of electronic devices and real-time assistance after Jonathan Tamayo won the final table of the World Series of Poker Main Event. His victory caused outrage as friends and fellow pros railed and supported him with an open laptop seen running real-time assistance (RTA) software.
The World Series of Poker’s new rules mean it has called time on the use of RTA at its tournaments. © WPT on Flickr
The World Series of Poker has now introduced significant rule changes that will be in effect for the WSOP Paradise event – a series of 13 live events featuring gold bracelet prizes set to begin on December 6 at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Its showstopping competition is the $50 million guaranteed Super Main Event that demands a $25,000 entry fee.
Reflecting a broader push within the poker industry to address the challenges posed by technological advancements in poker strategy tools – and possibly to avoid another ‘red-faced’ incident – the WSOP now threatens penalties of “up to disqualification” for the use of “charts, apps, or any other form of electronic assistance in the tournament room”.
New Rules: From Ambiguous to Abundantly Clear
Purchased by the online poker room GGPoker in October 2024 for $500 million, the WSOP – which never objected to ‘Team Tamayo’s’ antics during or after its Las Vegas showpiece – has now come down hard on all aspects of player assistance. Its once ambiguous rules on the topic are now abundantly clear.
Below is an overview of the key changes the WSOP have made to its live game rules ahead of the WSOP Paradise series.
Ban on Electronic Assistance and Coaching
Players and spectators cannot use charts, apps, or any other form of electronic assistance within the tournament room. Violating this rule can result in penalties up to disqualification for players and removal from the tournament room for spectators. Spectators are also explicitly prohibited from providing live coaching or assistance.
Electronic Devices at the Table
Once a tournament reaches its final three tables, all players’ electronic devices must be removed. Players can only use their devices during breaks or after their elimination. This measure is designed to ensure that no player can access any electronic aid during critical stages of the tournament.
Spectator Conduct
Non-players on the rail must adhere to WSOP rules, including not viewing live streams on electronic devices. This move lessens the potential for spectators to relay information to players or provide coaching from the sidelines.
66 days. Paradise has never been closer.https://t.co/gERofgeocU pic.twitter.com/Rjg6Kwi7Wt
— WSOP – World Series of Poker (@WSOP) October 1, 2024
The WSOP Rule Change – A Correct Strategic Decision
The rule changes should go towards maintaining the integrity of live poker in a tournament setting by ensuring that poker remains a game of psychological skill requiring individuals to possess a knowledge of probability, an understanding of odds, and the ability to make the correct strategic decisions. The complete list of rules that will be enforced for the WSOP Paradise event – 130 in total – can be viewed onlineat the organiser’s official website.
For Jordan Griff, runner-up in the 2024 WSOP Main Event, the new regulations are a few months late. If they had been in place during the summer, he could be $4 million richer with his name etched on the WSOP Main Event roll of honour.
