Top 10 Stories of 2016, #5: William Kassouf Dominates ESPN

This year’s Top Stories are brought to you by the VerStandig Law Firm, LLC. Combining a keen understanding of the gaming world and an equally keen understanding of the law, Mac VerStandig and his colleagues are devoted to fighting on behalf of the poker community and its members.

When someone gets so popular in both mainstream and poker media that people resoundingly respond that they’re over hearing about said person, then you’ve made an impact.

William Kassouf was that black sheep. People loved to love him and people loved to hate him. #LikeABoss

Kassouf started the 2016 World Series of Poker Main Event with “speech play” that put his opponents on edge and out of their comfort zone. Kassouf used it as a strategy to throw people off their game.

“It’s a big part of my game,” he said. “I’m a friendly, outgoing, social kind of guy. I think it gets under the skin of a lot of poker players.”

Only one was so confident to call him out in a major way: Griffin Benger.

The Kassouf antics were in their primacy at the Main Event back in July.

“By speaking to [opponents] and engaging in conversation I’m picking up a lot more information than these so-called hooded zombies who just sit there for 12 hours a day and say nothing,” Kassouf said.

It’s no surprise that Kassouf can argue his way out of anything, thanks to his days as a lawyer.

“I like the psychological aspect, outwitting your opponent,” he said. “There’s a strong correlation between being a lawyer and being a poker player, outwitting your opponent to get the desired result. There’s no intent as far as needling players or malice. I think poker should be fun. At the end of the day, it’s a game and you should enjoy it.”

Unfortunately for Kassouf, he would fall in 17th place, coming into his final round with too much confidence, Hollywooding with kings and being bested by Benger’s aces.

What would eventual turn into a nationwide phenomenon that gained momentum from ESPN’s coverage of the World Series started on Day 5 of the tournament with Stacy Matuson. This was ESPN’s fourth episode in which Kassouf was highlighted by the crew.

He started his typical table talk routine early.

“You don’t want to be eliminated in front of the whole camera crew, do you?” he asked in the round. “Lay it down. Don’t go broke this hand.”

Tournament Director Jack Effel threatened Kassouf with a penalty if he didn’t knock it off. Matuson folded her hand (queens face up) and Kassouf revealed a nine-six for a bluff. But that wasn’t exactly as it happened.

Lay it down. Don’t go broke this hand.

Kassouf asked mockingly if she wanted to see his hand. He spiked the bluff on the felt and exclaimed these infamous words, “Nine-high like a boss! Big heart. Big heart of a lion.”

It was then that he was handed the penalty that has since been debated time and time again, leaving viewers angry, surprised and downright entertained.

As found in the rule book of the WSOP, Effel was entirely within his rights when he gave Kassouf a penalty. It’s spelled out in Rule 111 that they may impose penalties as they see fit; Rule 113 says that players can’t advise play at any time; Rule 47 imposes a penalty on those who taunt or use theatrics to disrupt the game; and Rule 116 states that excessive chattering will result in penalties.

Nine-high like a boss! Big heart. Big heart of a lion.

…

continue reading in source www.pokernews.com