Shaun Deeb is not having any of it from the crowd that argues poker reporters are responsible for calling out a critical error they witness during a tournament they’re covering.

The debate over the issue stems from an apparent mistake made deep in the recent World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) Main Event in Maryland where Maurice Hawkins won his record-tying 18th ring for $140,752. But the controversy sparked when the eventual champ busted Divyam Satyarthi in third place on a hand where the losing player hit what should have been a winning flush.

No one at the table caught the flush, and that included the dealer. This led to a 48-hour heated debate on social media as to the role of the reporter, in this case a respected industry veteran, Jeff McMillan for PokerOrg, who understands his role as a “fly on the wall,” to which Deeb agrees.

Poker Legend Doesn’t Hold Back

Deeb, a six-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner and likely future Poker Hall of Famer, is one of the most outspoken players in the game. As an experienced tournament pro, he’s dealt with live reporters more times than he count.

There are few instances where in pro or college sports an announcer or reporter would communicate an error made during the game with the referees, as Deeb pointed out. Jerod Smith, however, had a rebuttal: “Not the same thing at all, and you know it. What would be a more apt comparison is if the cameraman noticed that the scoreboard was incorrect and a team wasn’t awarded the correct amount of points,” to which Hayley Hanna agreed, stating Justin Bonomo’s similar argument swayed her on the side of, yes, “the reporter should say something.”

Matt Savage, the World Poker Tour’s (WPT) executive tour director, has been the most vocal proponent of reporters calling out crucial mistakes such as what occurred in the WSOPC Main Event.

“Literally the only people that don’t want poker media to speak up is the poker media. I understand why many of you feel like it’s not your job or isn’t your place but I still prefer your involvement to the wrong player winning the pot especially if the player collecting it knows,” Savage wrote in one of his numerous tweets on the issue.

Deeb, however, doesn’t agree. He said he’d prefer reporters to say nothing instead of picking and choosing which players to speak up for or against.

Shirley Ang, PokerNews’ Senior Global Live Events Manager, trains her live reporters to report on the action, not to be part of the action.

“I would never go directly to a player or dealer,” said Ang. “If I had to, and I was 100% sure, I would go to the floor staff. I think every live reporter over the course of their career has exchanged a glance or two with a floor while reporting as if to say, ‘Hey, you might want to take a look at this.’”

Ang acknowledges the temptation to step in, but she emphasizes that respecting casino staff, event structure and smooth running of the tournament is crucial.

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