WSOP Extra Chip Controversy Nearing Resolution

During the final table of the $10,000 Main Event at the 2006 World Series of Poker, it became known that there were approximately two million extra chips in play. Opinions varied widely on how this happened, but it was surmised that the additional chips entered play during a color-up at some point. Yesterday, PokerNews.com released the results of an investigation explaining what happened. The situation has not been completely resolved yet, but it appears as if the book will be closed on the case soon.

PokerNews.com reported that Harrah’s Entertainment, the owner of the World Series of Poker, had conducted its own investigation, which was completed by the end of September 2006. It was told not to comment, however (aside from a brief mention during the WSOP telecast), by the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC), as that body wanted to look into the matter itself. In fact, the NGC conducted a criminal investigation to determine if the extra chips were introduced through more than just an honest mistake.

While the NGC’s report has yet to be released, it has said that it has found no evidence to lead it to believe that anybody purposefully added extra chips to the tournament. No criminal activity occurred. The NGC may, however, hand down some sort of punishment to Harrah’s for the mistake.

After intensive research, which included reviewing media reports of chip counts, ESPN footage, and player interviews, PokerNews.com determined that two players received extra chips when chips were colored-up as the tournament field narrowed to 21 players.

The first player, which PokerNews believes Harrah’s will confirm when it releases its own report, was Kevin O’Donnell. Apparently, during the hour and a half color-up break, O’Donnell inadvertently received 1.05 million extra chips. PokerNews spoke with O’Donnell and he had no idea this had happened. While it is a little odd that a player deep in the richest poker tournament ever would not know how many chips he had going in and out of a color-up, there is no reason to believe that he is not telling the truth. The chips did not help him, anyway, as he busted out to Allen Cunningham in 21st place – the first person to be eliminated after the color-up.

PokerNews says that, based on its research, it determined who the second player was to receive the other 1 million plus chips (there were 2.41 million extra chips to be exact), but this is not the same player that Harrah’s will name when it releases its own statement.

Originally published 7:30 AM Wednesday, February 14, 2007