Shaun Deeb's Playing in the WSOP Ladies Event Raises Controversy

The stunt that Shaun Deeb and his mates played out yesterday at the WSOP Ladies Event, has landed him in some hot water. Deeb, who organized together with his fellow male friends to enter the WSOP Ladies Event managed to raise attention.

The objective of the stunt was to raise the issue that he does not support the message that WSOP is giving: that there is a need to separate women and men in poker. With this main objective clear, Deeb and about 10 of his mates made their way to enter the $1,000 Ladies No-limit Championship. Because of anti-discrimination laws, the WSOP staff cannot legally prevent men from entering a women-only tournament.

Shaun Deeb protesting

Deeb knowing about this law managed to make it all the way to the tables and even played a few hands dressed in full drag. It was until the first break that Deeb realized that he might have gone too far and was offending some people by being in drag. With this not his intention he immediately changed into his normal attire.

Shaun Deeb showing his feminim side

WSOP Communications Director Seth Palansky later stated in an interview with CardPlayer that "suspensions or bans from the WSOP would be handed out to the interlopers’".

Getting wind of this Deeb made a video statement. In this video statement later posted by Deeb he explained in detail the reasoning for his actions. In the seven and a half minute video, Deeb tells about his plans of how he was going to donate a portion of his winnings to a cause that benefits women. He also tells how he supports female poker players and how it was his grandmother who tough him to play poker and is the reason why he plays today. He also apologies if he had offended anyone and reinstates that it wasn’t his intention to do so.

Deeb raises a good issue but the way he has made it public could destroy his poker career, his fate is now in the hands of WSOP officials.