Kassouf reverts to form
The prickly and polarizing English poker professional William Kassouf, memorably called out for his behavior by VegasSlotsOnline News’ David Lappin three years ago, has been up to his old tricks at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.
Kassouf’s caustic modus operandi was on display during the $10,000 Main Event late Saturday at Horseshoe Las Vegas.
complaints and threats escalated
When he was eliminated from the event in 33rd place, his complaints and threats escalated, with PokerGO podcaster Tim Duckworth also sharing allegations that Kassouf may have called WSOP US Circuit Tournament Director Dennis Jones “a monkey.”
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jones banned Kassouf from the rest of the WSOP, with Horseshoe security then escorting the Englishman off the property.
Countdown to a meltdown
Whether Kassouf insulted Jones or not, he’d been rubbing WSOP staff and other players the wrong way for several days ahead of his meltdown.
“His speech play tactics, stalling and endless complaining wore on players, dealers, PokerGO producers and officials,” reported the Review-Journal on Sunday. Lappin had previously called out Kassouf’s behavior, stating he craved attention and “his bad behavior usually worsens after the floor has been called.”
According to reports, after a previous day of having the clock called on him multiple times, the same calls on Day 7 eventually triggered an outburst and a one-round penalty, after Kassouf verbally abused an opponent. The floor warned the poker pro of disqualification if he continued to cause drama.
Kassouf didn’t heed the warnings and harangued Caesars Entertainment’s Senior Vice President of Poker Operations Jack Effel during two breaks in play.
The end comes
When Kassouf was finally eliminated from the WSOP Main Event with pocket Sevens on Saturday, he let rip with insults at the table. “Disgrace. You’re all pathetic. I’ll see you next year. All of you, I’ll remember your faces. I’ll see each one of you next year. I’m going to bang you all up.”
According to a PokerGO interview, Kassouf stated he wasn’t given enough time by the floor supervisor. “I’m sitting there with ten big blinds for my tournament life playing for $10 million and they’re calling the clock on me every five seconds.”
bends the truth to suit his desired narrative”
Back in 2022, however, while being interviewed about Kassouf’s poker scandals and abrasive behavior, David Lappin described him as “a fantasist, both the creator and main character in a world of his own invention.” Lappin added, presciently it appears after the WSOP meltdown, that when Kassouf’s “solipsistic belief system is threatened by an event or another person’s will outside of his control, he simply bends the truth to suit his desired narrative.”
