Andy Bloch Wins a WSOP Bracelet and Major WSOP Controversy

June 3rd, 2012 | 11:47 pm

The recent focus of the World Series of Poker has been on both several bracelets being handed out and on a wildly controversial WSOP public relations blunder.

By Matt Kaufman, Rakeback.com Poker News Editor

The 2012 World Series of Poker is in high gear (but you can still qualify for events!). 6 bracelets have been awarded, and we've reached our first major controversy of the series.

First, the winners:

• Event #1 - $500 Casino Employees NLHE - Chiab Saechao for $70,859
• Event #2 - $1,500 NLHE - Brent Hanks for $517,725
• Event #3 - $3,000 Heads-Up NLHE/PLO - Leif Force for $207,708
• Event #4 - $1,500 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo - Cory Zeidman for $201,559
• Event #5 - $1,500 PLO - Nick Jivkov for $189,818
• Event #7 - $1,500 7 Card Stud - Andy Bloch for $126,363

Of those winners, the most noteworthy one is obviously Andy Bloch. For years Bloch has been considered one of the best players in the world without a WSOP bracelet, but after defeating Barry Greenstein heads-up in Event #7 he can no longer be mentioned in the "best without a bracelet" conversation.

Jon Aguiar vs. the WSOP Verbal Declarations Rule

Despite Event #7's star-studded final table which featured Andy Bloch, Barry Greenstein, and David Williams, Event #5 has actually received the most attention this week.

The reason for that is that the WSOP enforced a new "verbal declarations" rule at that final table. The rule states that all players must announce all of their actions - even checks and folds - aloud.

The rule was not enforced until 3-handed play after both Daniel Negreanu and Tommy Vedes busted from the table. The remaining 3 players, which included Jon Aguiar who ultimately busted in 3rd, objected to this selective enforcement of a rule which most players believe makes no sense at all. The tournament director threatened to end the event, and the players caved in.

Aguiar went on Twitter (@JonAguiar) after the event to complain about both the rule and the way the final 3 players were treated while life-changing money was on the line, and the WSOP's response was shocking: They decided to retweet a tweet in which Aguiar was called a "complete bitch".

Apparently, Aguiar's family and friends were frequently checking WSOP.com to look for updates on his progress at the final table, and they caught glimpse of a major brand effectively endorsing the offensive tweet.

Since then, Aguiar has been out for blood and loudly calling for the removal of Seth Palansky (who controls the @WSOP Twitter account) from his job. We'll make sure to keep you posted as this story develops further.