PokerStars Bans and Releases Timex and Agrobot_388Z Accounts, Announces WCOOP GTD

A collection of PokerStars-related news has surfaced late last week. The room has closed and then reopened the accounts of a pair of renowned pros, meanwhile announcing a staggering WCOOP Main Event prize pool guarantee.

PokerStars has recently announced that a prize pool larger than ever will be guaranteed in this year’s World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) Main Event: at least $10,000,000 will be up for grabs. In 2012, the event offered $5,000,000 and in 2013 $8,000,000. The $5,200 WCOOP Main Event kicks off on 28 September this year, yet no additional information has been revealed, not even a full schedule. The announcement comes with the launch of the WCOOP ME online satellites, running from as little as $1.65 (Round 1).

More disturbing pieces of news have also emerged recently concerning the market leader room, though. First, one of the best tournament players around, EPT champion Mike ‘Timex’ McDonald, who boasts a total of $10,050,578 in live tournament winnings, had been banned on the grounds of a single tweet that had been reported by an overly enthusiastic follower.

“Considered taking today off to chill at the pool, but I couldn't resist regging the 6 max. My best game,” he tweeted, linking the screenshot below.

Most people have apparently been under the impression that McDonald was at the point in Las Vegas at the WSOP and meant a pool there, considering it would have been a bit chilly to chill at a pool in his hometown Ontario. As a result, they did not comprehend how ‘Timex’ was playing in the .com room from the USA. A follower was quick to report the pro and PokerStars was equally quick to close his account.

“I have some choice words for whoever reported me to @PokerStars for playing in USA because you don't understand Twitter jokes #AccountBanned,” he replied angrily, still in Canada. He had meant the pool thing as a simple joke.

After it has become clear that there had been a misunderstanding, the ban was quickly lifted.

“Thanks @GarryGates for saving the day yet again and getting my account back,” McDonald wrote. Soon, he would indeed leave for Vegas, posting “Off to Vegas to go play some poker. Face to face poker. No internet poker.”

Another, more serious issue has been that of Agrobot_388Z’s. The Kazakh player won the Sunday Million last November for $224,550 and also boasts a Red Spade Open title. Based on his game and results, however, he has become suspicious and PokerStars launched an investigation.

Consequently, his account got banned and his bankroll frozen: apparently, it had been in the register of around $250,000. The PokerStars investigation seemed to confirm the suspicion that ‘Agrobot_388Z’ may have let other players play his account.

Later, however, PokerStars would release another statement, changing their previous decision, to the surprise of many and uncharacteristic of the room. While the possibility remained that the player may have shared his account (ghosting), it could not be proved that this or other breach of the terms and conditions had caused harm to other players. In line with that, it would have been disproportionate to freeze such a sum.

‘Agrobot_388Z’ got his money and account back, although his activity remains under close surveillance.