While a handful of poker's top high stakes players have called Martin Kabrhel a cheater on social media following his antics at the final table of the WSOP $250,000 Super High Roller, Kabrhel took offense to the allegation and told his side of the story in an hour-long interview with Doug Polk.
Many who watched the interview of Kabrhel perhaps came away with a different impression of the man that's quite different than his poker-playing persona. Somewhat quirky, a bit hyperactive, and definitely intelligent, Kabrhel arguably made a good showing of explaining himself and his actions.
What struck me was that he was quick to answer every question that Polk volleyed his way, seemingly with nothing to hide. That was a far cry from his action on the felt at the final table of the $250K tournament where his turn to act was repeatedly met with using up all of the clock time allotted to him.
There was no hemming and hawing in Martin's answers to Doug's questions. In fact, on several occasions he seemed anxious to answer even while Polk wasn't yet done asking. That's reportedly an indication of being truthful, according to law enforcement interrogators who question people on a regular basis.
Sticky Cards and Hole Card Staredowns
Almost all of the complaints that the poker community have been expressing on social media were covered in the interview. Sticky cards? The stickiness was due to excessive sweat under the lights and pressure. Pinching the edges and pressing down on the cards? A likely tick that he's not fully aware of doing in the moment.Standing up and staring at the backs of his opponents' hole cards? He was counting and recounting player stacks while trying to pick up any other telling information. As Kabrhel explained it, that's his way of getting "in the zone" while competing for millions of dollars.
"I understand I am doing it in a weird way," Kabrhel said of his stand and stare routine. "I'm just trying to focus on so much information while playing."While many will agree that Martin was in quite a zone, finishing in 3rd place for $2,279,038, Kahbrel seemed somewhat perturbed that he didn't actually win the tournament. Incidentally, his $2.2 million score pushed the Czech Republic native to 96th place on the all-time money list with $11,703,313.
Trying to Look Like a Cheat?
Also covered in the interview was whether or not Kabrhel was intentionally trying to give the impression that he was cheating in order to gain an advantage or to tilt his opponents. The 40-year-old scoffed at such an accusation."I was not trying to look like a cheater and make people uncomfortable," Martin vehemently stated. "I think it would be crazy, stupid and I didn't do that."Kabrhel has since lawyered up and his attorney has promised that a defamation lawsuit is in the works. The cheating allegations have hurt him both personally and professionally, Martin said, including in his many business interests away from the poker table.
I'm convinced that Kabrhel's play was on the up and up. He repeatedly told Doug that if his tablemates feel that anything that he's doing is out of line and against the rules, that they should tell him or complain to the floor person.
Martin's aware that he can be annoying and isn't perhaps the most liked player at the table. Those who have played against him can certainly attest to that. But to accuse him of cheating, well, watch the interview below and decide for yourself.