Twin Sisters Create a Mess at the WSOP

Let me start this article by disappointing you – it’s not what you might have thought it would be, but give it a shot, it is still an interesting story. Christopher Ruby’s Twitter post has become quite viral last night, as he posted a picture of him losing the pot in $1,500 Omaha Event to rivered quads.

It is a nasty beat for sure, but it wouldn’t be that extraordinary for Omaha if there wasn’t for one small detail - both queens on the board were Queens of Heart! The original poster hasn’t even realized it until one of his friends took a closer look at the picture and noticed the irregularity. What is even more amazing is the fact that none of the players at the table or the dealer spotted it either.

Soon after the hand was posted, a 2+2 thread emerged discussing the situation and giving opinions on what the WSOP staff should do regarding the situation. Most seem to be of the conviction that, since the hand was played out without anyone noticing the problem before the next deal started, there is nothing to do. The hand stands.

Has this irregularity been noticed before the pot was pushed to a player and cards mixed back in, the most likely scenario would be nullification of the hand and all players would get back the chips they put in the pot.

As far as Jack Effel and the WSOP staff, all they could do in this situation was to offer their sincere apology. Some forum users were vocal to express their dissatisfaction with the lack of action on the matter, as they believed that the affected player should at least get his buy in back. Others were against such an action, as it would potentially open up the door for angle-shooting with photo-shopped images. There was even a mention of bringing in the Gaming Commission to make a decision.

Considering that these types of serious irregularities are really a rare occurrence at the WSOP, it most likely will not go any further than the apology and, potentially, some sort of agreed compensation, but it is unlikely it will be a full buy-in back.

What seems most mind-boggling in the entire story is how no one at the table or around the table, including the guy who took the picture, noticed that two Queens of Hearts were on the board. It is true that most players are tending to other matters when not involved in a pot themselves, but considering this should have been a one-outer on the river, it is weird it peaked no one’s interest. Have we, perhaps, reached the point in poker where most players have already seen it all and are not shocked even by one-outers unless, of course, they happen to them?