Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth Speak Up For The Mouth

Penalty for Mikey called "atrocious" and "disgusting."

Yesterday we posted about Mike “The Mouth” Matusow's one round penalty for what was labelled as “outrageous behavior” by one of the tournament directors at the World Series of Poker during the the $2500 Omaha/Seven-Card Stud Hi-Low event.

Read: Mike “The Mouth” Matusow – Bulldozered By WSOP Floor For “Outrageous Behavior”

Now, some of the biggest names in the game, including Phil Hellmuth and Daniel Negreanu have spoken out publicly on Matusow’s side.

@TheMouthMatusow received one of worst @WSOP penalties ever! The whole table BEGGED the floor man NOT to give Mikey a penalty #CmonGuys— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) June 13, 2014

“Kid Poker” took it a step further, sending a barrage of Tweets before taking to his own blog to address the issue.

Ruling made by TD Dave Lamb on @themouthmatusow is atrocious disgusting and represents what’s wrong with poker.Showing emotion is a penalty?— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) June 13, 2014

In these cases it is ALWAYS best to offer a warning if a TD feels it necessary.The penalty was completely out of line. He is owed an apology— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) June 13, 2014

The mouth is one of pokers most colorful characters and has been for over a decade. To mute him in this fashion is detrimental to poker.— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) June 13, 2014

Over at Full Contact Poker, Negreanu’s own poker forum, Daniel put all his thoughts down including how he feels that, for the good of the game, we need to allow emotion to be let back into poker.

To make a long story short, Mikey was all in and deep in a tournament. He needed help and was being himself, a loud, sometimes childish and obnoxious guy that most people who watch TV love to see, while others may not like his antics.

He goes on to talk about the discretion of TD’s in tournaments.

This is consistent with a major problem I have with quite a few of the TDA rules that go straight to a penalty without giving the players the benefit of the doubt, and the courtesy of a warning.

That needs to change. I don’t know how to make it change, but I needed to say something. We need to stop taking ourselves so seriously.

Poker is supposed to be fun guys, it’s not war. There is no need for a Nazi like enforcement of rules that don’t accomplish what they are designed to accomplish. If you are a tournament director, you would be wise to take a chill pill, keep it friendly, issue warnings followed by penalties when necessary, and do as little as possible to effect the outcome of tournaments that you haven’t risked a penny to play.

Read Daniel’s Full Statement over at Full Contact Poker

Daniel’s new pal Dutch Boyd also agrees…

I agree with @RealKidPoker that the @themouthmatusow penalty was unfair. The rule should be changed and no penalties before a warning. #wsop— Dutch Boyd (@DutchBoyd) June 13, 2014

More Phil: Phil Hellmuth – Return Of The Brat

More Daniel: Daniel Negreanu Lands On Fashion Police “Most Wanted” List

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (VACPG) helpline at 1-888-532-3500

published 8 years, 9 months ago • by Jeff • permalink

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