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GGPoker Integrity Ambassador Fedor Holz had a simple message for online poker cheaters: using real-time assistance (RTA) on the platform “will” lead to a ban from the World Series of Poker (WSOP).

His statement came after GGPoker, in partnership with GTO Wizard, closed 31 player accounts for violating fair play rules.

When Patrick Leonard asked if those players would be prohibited from the WSOP, Holz’s reply was crystal clear — “That’s the plan, and that’s what will happen.”

No official announcement from GGPoker, which bought the WSOP in 2024, has confirmed this to be the case. But if Holz’s message is anything to go by, it appears that the wheels are already in motion to prohibit online poker cheaters from participating in the world’s most famous live poker festival.

GGPoker’s Stance on RTA

GGPoker defines RTA as any external tool that provides an unfair advantage, influences decisions in real-time, or allows players to perform beyond their natural ability. Every decision at the poker table must be made without external help.

Prohibited external assistance includes software, apps, websites, and even physical or digital reference materials. Players are strictly forbidden from using charts of any kind during play. Violating these rules can lead to severe consequences, including a permanent ban and confiscation of funds.

ACR Rocked with Ambassador RTA Scandals

Recently, unregulated site ACR Poker has been embroiled in its own string of RTA scandals that have raised more than a few eyebrows.

The latest scandal involves ACR ambassador Ebony Kenney, who found herself under fire when a screenshot surfaced showing an RTA chart open on her computer screen while playing.

The image showed Kenney using GTO Wizard, during a hand in the January 2024 Venom. While Kenney claimed she only had the tool open to review spots when she wasn’t actively involved in hands, the optics weren’t great. And poker fans weren’t buying it.

Kenney’s excuse didn’t sit well with many, and ACR’s defense of her didn’t help much either. The site defended Kenney and insisted there was no evidence of real-time cheating.

Kenney wasn’t the only one who found herself in hot water for RTA use. ACR pro Nacho Barbero also made headlines when he was caught with an RTA chart open during an online poker session. Barbero claimed that the chart was for helping others in a coaching session, not for his own play.

ACR Poker conducted an internal investigation into both incidents, but after re-reviewing the facts, they concluded that there was no wrongdoing. Leonard, a friend of Barbero, also ran his own investigation and concluded that there was no foul play from Barbero.

High-profile poker players, like Doug Polk, have been vocal in criticizing ACR for its handling of these scandals. Polk advised his followers to “play somewhere that respects your money” and is actively putting resources into detecting cheaters.

Calum has been a part of the PokerNews team since September 2021 after working in the UK energy sector. He played his first hand of poker in 2017 and immediately fell in love with the game. Calum has written for various poker outlets but found his home at PokerNews, where he has contributed to various articles and live updates, providing insights and reporting on major poker events, including the World Series of Poker (WSOP).

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