The three-time World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) winner, Chan Pelton, has been stripped of his most recent title, had his prize money rebuffed and banned from all Caesars properties after chip theft.
With the poker world still reeling from the counterfeit chip scandal that befell the Borgata Winter Poker Open do you think it would be a good idea to remove a T25, 000 chip from your stack in the latter stages of a tournament?
Well that’s exactly what three-time WSOPC gold ring winner Chan Pelton did, and his stupidity comes with the heaviest of prices.
It is alleged that Pelton took the chip after his victory in Event #9: $1,125 No-Limit Hold’em (NLHE), at the WSOPC Palm Beach Kennel Club (PBKC), and told tournament officials who saw him that he was taking it as a souvenir.
Just one week earlier and Pelton was placing his second of three gold rings onto his finger after achieving victory in Event #2: $365 Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) Eight or Better, and the two victories would have made him a clear favorite to top the WSOPC Casino Championship – an accolade that would have seen him win a seat in the 2014 WSOP National Championships.
Pelton’s prize money was put on ice whilst a joint working group of officials from both the WSOPC and PBKC got together to investigate the alleged theft and the outcome was about as bad as it gets for Pelton.
Pelton has effectively been banned from the competition he won. His title has been stripped and his ring and first place prize will be awarded to the runner-up Chris Bolek who said, “I’ll take it.”
The three-time two-time WSOPC gold ring winner has also been banned from the WSOP National Championships, banned from all Caesars properties and PBKC properties.
The theft violated WSOP Tournament Rule 39, Section A, Part ii, and was recorded on video surveillance. The PBKC issued a statement that confirmed Pelton’s intent was never considered during the investigation.
Rules are rules are rules.
In reaction to the news the Global Poker Index (GPI) have also suspended Pelton from their ranking system and removed his victory from the Hendon Mob database.
“The integrity of our games is of upmost important and regardless of the intent in question from this incident, we cannot sit idle and risk the stolen chips being reintroduced in the future.” Said PBKC Card Room Manager Noah Carbone.
This is not the first time that Caesars have brought the hammer down on player rule violations after the WSOP bracelet winner David Diaz was also banned for life from Caesars properties after being accused of drunk and disorderly behavior at a Harrah’s property back in the summer.
So is banning Pelton for life harsh?
Not according to the peeps at 2+2 after 47.83% of them completely agree with the verdict and only 17.39% completely disagree; 21.74% said his ban should have only been for a year.
Pelton also has previous form.
Back in 2012 he was arrested for possession of drugs and $1,760 in cash after falling asleep in a running car.
Which makes him…well just like every other kid I know really.
