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Will Kassouf’s Wild Ride Ends in a Ban at the 2025 WSOP Main Event

Will Kassouf’s Wild Ride Ends in a Ban at the 2025 WSOP Main Event
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Iva Dozet News Editor
  • Fact Checked by: PokerListings
  • Last updated on: July 15, 2025 · 3 minutes to read

Day 7 of the 2025 WSOP Main Event was already shaping up to be dramatic, but no one could’ve predicted the way Will Kassouf’s run would end: in a chorus of boos, surrounded by security, and escorted off the premises after a heated exit in 33rd place. The British pro, known for his notorious table talk and clock-burning theatrics, didn’t just bust — he sparked a firestorm that split the poker community down the middle.

Let’s break down how it all unfolded, from the final hand to the fallout.

Kassouf’s Final Stand: A Clash with Hallaert

Kassouf’s final hand came against Belgian pro Kenny Hallaert, who had been among the chip leaders. Hallaert opened to 850,000 from the cutoff. Kassouf, in the small blind, paused the action — not unusually — with some of his trademark chatter. Aimed at tablemate Pedro Padilha, he baited: “I have a hand. I’ll bet you $10,000. Put your money where your mouth is.”

Padilha, visibly frustrated, had already clashed with Kassouf over excessive tanking throughout the day.

2025 WSOP Main Event Kenny Hallaert
Kenny Hallaert

Photo Credit: Jazmyn Le

Eventually, Kassouf shoved his remaining 2.7 million chips with pocket sevens. Hallaert made the call with king-five suited.

The board ran out A J 10 K J , pairing Hallaert’s king and ending Kassouf’s run. Kassouf’s reaction was instant — he bemoaned the call, declared his intent to remember everyone at the table, and left to the sound of spectators chanting “sha-la-la, hey hey, goodbye”.

He wasn’t just exiting the tournament — he was being escorted straight to the payout desk by WSOP security and two Metro police officers.

Is the Ban a Penalty Too Far?

Kassouf’s bustout wasn’t the only climax of his day. Earlier, he had already been penalized with a one-round suspension for arguing with the floor over a miscommunication about his shot clock. Kassouf believed his countdown timer would reset to 30 seconds after earlier penalties, but instead, a strict 10-second clock was reinstated from the very first hand of Day 7.

Will Kassouf at the 2025 WSOP Main Event
Will Kassouf at the 2025 WSOP Main Event

Photo Credit: Alex Currington

According to news sources on the scene, Kassouf didn’t take the ruling lightly. He vented to anyone who would listen — floor staff, players, spectators — and once his final hand was dealt, the WSOP took swift action. Dennis Jones, a Circuit Tournament Director, informed Kassouf that he was banned from playing the remainder of the series. The decision reportedly came from higher up and was delivered alongside his $300,000 payout slip.

Whether the ban is limited to the rest of 2025 or extends further remains unclear. But the incident has already cemented itself as one of the most volatile exits in Main Event history.

#Team Kassouf: Drama as Content

Despite the controversy, Kassouf had his defenders.

Phil Hellmuth was cryptic but pointed in a tweet that praised the Day 7 broadcast:

Chris Brewer, a high-stakes regular, was less enthusiastic but did suggest the WSOP overreacted:

Even on Reddit, some users were torn. One user commented in r/poker.

Wild to watch but not great for the game imo

Noting how things seemed to spiral out of control, another added:

It is breakdown time right now… he got out of his seat mid-hand.

#Team Clock: Enough Was Enough

On the other side of the table — literally and metaphorically — many players and fans had simply had enough.

Daniel Negreanu wasn’t pulling punches. In his vlog recap, he put it bluntly:

Daniel Negreanu

Any time there’s a question about whether it should be a penalty, the answer’s yes… He has earned the penalties with his five-minute tanks, nine-high on the river, and all the other antics.

Mike Matusow echoed the sentiment with a simple “He deserved it.” And for longtime Kassouf critic Cliff Josephy, it was a full-circle moment, saying:

Cliff Josephy

Warned you all nine years ago… Seems many agree now.

Will Kassouf’s Legacy: Polarizing to the Very End

Kassouf is no stranger to deep runs or controversy. In 2016, he finished 17th in the Main Event and became a polarizing figure for his relentless “speech play.” But this year, the antics were less charming, and the tolerance from both players and staff had clearly worn thin.

Will Kassouf
Will Kassouf

His 33rd-place finish earned him $300,000 — but also an unceremonious boot from poker’s biggest stage. For some, he was a disruptor who brought entertainment to the game. For others, he was a distraction, long overdue for discipline.

Either way, Will Kassouf’s 2025 WSOP Main Event run won’t be remembered for the cards he played — but for the chaos he left in his wake.

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Written By: Iva Dozet News Editor
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