ClubWPT Gold — a poker sweepstakes site that operates in the US — isn’t afraid of a little controversy, as evidenced by its Gold Rush campaign that caused chaos at this summer’s World Series of Poker.
However, it may have taken a step too far with what some players are calling a blatant cash grab. Others have gone further, accusing ClubWPT Gold of undermining the integrity of the game.
The new ‘Reveal Hands’ button feature was introduced by a typically slick video that leaned into the Garrett Adelstein controversy.
After each hand, the 'Reveal Hands' button appears, allowing players to pay to see everyone’s hole cards. If the big blind is $4, you'd pay $12 to ClubWPT Gold for the privilege.
You can see the promo video introducing the feature below:
Berkey: 'An idiot tax'
As many might have predicted, this has gone down terribly with almost every player who took the trouble to respond on Twitter.
PokerOrg Player Advisory Board member Matt Berkey said, "This is actually sick. A 'stupid tax' is fine if it goes to the player — this happens all the time live. But the site whoring out players' data, in-game, for an additional idiot tax beyond the already questionably high rake... please do better."
Brian Rast said, "This is one of the worst ideas I've heard in poker. If the opponent(s) got the money for being forced to reveal their hand... it would still be bad (don't get me wrong), but at least semi-ethically defensible. But the site monetizing revealing cards for their own gain? GTFO."
The backlash has been so intense, a swift backtrack from ClubWPT Gold wouldn’t be surprising. The site seems to be operating on a ‘no publicity is bad publicity’ mantra — and this latest move might just be another calculated stunt designed to generate headlines and attention.
ClubWPT Gold ambassadors Doug Polk and Brad Owen have yet to comment publicly on the backlash.
In the meantime, here are some of the best reactions to the ‘Reveal Hands’ feature, including from some of the biggest names in the game.
