Bicknell and Foxen Accused Of Softplaying!

The remarkable one-two by Kristen Bicknell and her boyfriend Alex Foxen at the MSPT Venetian $5k event this week has been marred by accusations of soft-playing, Aussie pro James Obst the most vociferous in his condemnation…

Bicknell and Foxen found themselves 3-handed with Obst’s friend and fellow Aussie Kahle Burns, an awkward situation with so much on the line - $559,000 to be shared between the top 3 as well as the Deepstack Trophy for the tournament win, which Foxen eventually took down…

...but it didn’t take long for the naysayers to land some pretty nasty blows for what they perceived to be colluding and softplaying between the lovers…

However, Bicknell twice offered Burns the chance to discuss a chop, the young Aussie turning a deal down both times, leading to a difficult situation where Bicknell and Foxen were both very aware of the others’ poker game and tendencies – one hand in particular coming in for close scrutiny…

…Foxen explaining later to PokerNews:

“As soon as that hand was played I knew there would be an insane amount of criticism,” adding: “But when she knows and I know exactly how the other one is thinking it’s a spot that’s weird. You put ICM on top of that and you have to fold everything but kings on that river.”

There were plenty of players happy to back the professionalism and fair play of the couple, Ryan Laplante chief among them – quickly picking Obst up on his tweet…

…a short Twitter-spat ensuing between the pair, sullying what was an otherwise excellent tournament and result for all involved…

Bicknell was very clear afterwards that although the situation was a tricky one, neither she nor boyfriend Alex were involved in anything untowards…

…while others commenting were of the opinion that it was no different to two close friends, or even stablemates, finding themselves in a similar situation…

Despite the unfortunate fallout from the finale, Bicknell and Foxen avoided the fate of Brazilian pros Jose Simao and wife Luiza earlier this year, Jose facing a night sleeping on the settee after busting Luiza in third in a similar 3-way battle.