Will Kassouf Removed from WSOP and No Longer Welcome on Property This Year

Poker fans have seen their fair share of loud personalities, but few compare to Will Kassouf. Known for pushing the limits of speech play, Kassouf often splits opinion—some call it entertainment, others call it needling. But in this year’s World Series of Poker Main Event, things finally hit a wall.

Good to know

• Will Kassouf finished 33rd in the 2025 WSOP Main Event, earning $300,000 before being disqualified from the rest of the series.
• Security and Las Vegas police were called after his post-elimination outburst.
• WSOP took rare disciplinary action by removing him from the property entirely.

Kassouf made it deep into the 2025 Main Event, but instead of walking away with praise, he left with police officers by his side. His final hand came and went, but the real drama started afterward. Witnesses said he launched into a loud, drawn-out rant that continued even as security led him to the payout desk. Two police officers were called in as he refused to calm down.

He had already received a penalty earlier in the day for poor behavior at the table. Things went downhill from there, with players repeatedly calling the clock on him and floor staff growing visibly irritated. By the time he was eliminated, patience had run out.

WSOP bans Kassouf after one outburst too many

The WSOP’s decision to remove Kassouf from the property entirely caught many by surprise. Banning a player after a Main Event exit is rare. But according to those who saw the scene unfold, the reaction from fellow players was mostly relief. Applause even broke out when news of his removal spread through the tournament area.

While Kassouf has always walked a fine line with his speech-heavy table tactics, this year’s Main Event showed a more aggressive side. His usual mix of humor and showmanship was replaced by open hostility, both toward players and staff. Many felt he had crossed the line long before the final hand.

A history of stirring the pot

Kassouf first gained global attention during the 2016 WSOP Main Event with his slow play and constant needling (trying to throw off his opponents by excessive talking). His “nine high like a boss” hand against Griffin Benger became an instant poker meme, but also drew criticism for excessive tanking and psychological tactics that many found uncomfortable. A year later he was seen slow rolling his opponent during a live cash game stream at “Live At The Bike”.

His antics have drawn warnings and penalties in the past, but he has rarely shown signs of changing. Even away from the felt, Kassouf has made headlines for other controversies, including being banned from Grosvenor casinos in the UK after allegedly palming chips during a cash game. He later admitted to drinking too much and accepted the ban.

Attendance strong despite falling short of record

While Kassouf’s exit made headlines, the Main Event itself remains one of the biggest in WSOP history. A total of 9,735 players entered, making it the third-largest field ever, just behind the records set in 2023 and 2024. With the final table just around the corner, the focus will now shift back to the cards—hopefully with fewer distractions.

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