There was some controversy this past weekend at the 2019 World Series of Poker Main Event.
After Dario Sammartino raised $1.7 million with pocket 10s, Nick Marchington decided to go all in for $22.2 million with pocket queens. Sammartino eventually agreed to call but there was just one issue; the dealer told him the wrong number.
Sammartino asked the dealer to count Marchington’s chips and she went on to mistakenly announce it at $5 million short. Thinking it was only $17.2 million, Sammartino called the bet before the dealer realized her error and called officials over to discuss it. Sammartino was understandably frustrated and argued he would have reconsidered calling had he known the proper number. However, according to WSOP VP Jack Effel, “it is the caller’s responsibility to determine the correct amount of an opponent’s bet before calling.”
The following is an excerpt from Poker News:
Poker is a game of alert, continuous observation. It is the caller’s responsibility to determine the correct amount of an opponent’s bet before calling, regardless of what is stated by the dealer or participants. If a caller requests a count but receives incorrect information from the dealer or participants, then places that amount in the pot, the caller is assumed to accept the full correct action & is subject to the correct wager or all-in amount.
Here’s a look at how it all went down:
Alex Livingston, a pro player from Nova Scotia was at the table and shared his take on the situation. He acknowledged both players as “class acts” and noted that Effel’s remark “if you’re calling 17, you’re calling 22” was completely out of line.
Sammartino is still starting Monday’s action with $23.1 with five players remaining but it’s tough to blame him for getting so rattled by the situation. Some serious drama at the WSOP!
(H/T FTW)
