An employee was fired after stealing $15,000 in chips during an investigation into cheating allegations in the world of high-stakes poker.
The latest development in the cheating scandal comes just days after Garrett Adelstein, one of the world’s best high-stakes cash game players, claimed he was “clearly cheated” by his opponent Robbi Jade Lew after she went all-in on an unimpressive hand. Ms. Lew called the bet despite only having a jack high, increasing the pot to $269,000.
The game was livestreamed at the Hustler Casino Live (HCL) in Los Angeles on September 29, and High Stakes Poker Productions conducted an investigation after the claims were made. The firm discovered that employee Bryan Sagbigsal stole three $5,000 chips from Ms. Lew’s stack.
Although it is unclear what position Mr. Sagbisgal held at HCL, he has since been terminated, according to owners Nick Vertucci and Ryan Feldman in a statement.
Ms. Lew, who has vehemently denied cheating, said she returned the large sum she won after being “cornered and threatened” by Mr. Adelstein, according to Kotaku. Mr. Adelstein has denied the charges.
According to the statement, Ms. Lew initially decided not to press charges against Mr. Sagbisgal, who “removed chips from Robbi’s stack after the broadcast had concluded and while Robbi was away from the table.”
She later stated that she intended to file charges after learning of Mr. Sagbisgal’s alleged criminal history. According to High Stakes Poker Productions, the main investigation into the cheating allegations is still ongoing.
To conduct the review, the company has hired gaming and security experts Gaming Laboratory International’s Bulletproof and law firm Sheppard Mullin.
Meanwhile, HLC initially stated that there was “no proof either way or any indication of any wrongdoing besides the accusations of parties involved,” but later stated that a lie detector test could be conducted.
Mr. Adelstein held the seven and eight of clubs during the televised high-stakes game at the Hustler Casino, while Ms. Lew played wider with the jack of clubs and four of hearts.
Mr. Adelstein bet big after the flop revealed the 10 of hearts, 10 of clubs, and 9 of clubs, knowing he could hit a straight, flush, or even a straight flush on the river.
Ms. Lew, on the other hand, stunned her opponents and the commentators when she called the bet, increasing the pot to $269,000.
They agreed to play the river twice, but neither side got anything, and Ms Lew won the entire $269,000 pot with jack high. It caused a commotion at the table, prompting Mr Adelstein to say, “I don’t understand what’s going on right now.”
After a brief exchange, Mr. Adelstein gave Ms. Lew a “death stare.” Both players accused each other and later provided contradictory accounts of what was said on and off camera.
Mr. Adelstein stated in a lengthy statement that he was “clearly cheated,” but provided no evidence of wrongdoing. He went on to speculate that Ms. Lew might have been wearing a vibrating device that was used to signal her but said it was impossible to know.
Ms. Lew has denied any wrongdoing and challenged her opponent for a head-to-head rematch: “After I’m vindicated, let’s go heads up. The whole world can watch me read you all day.”
