The World Series of Poker (WSOP) has suspended the account of Kevin Ruscitti, who currently holds the title of Player of the Year in WSOP Online Michigan, following accusations of using Real-Time Assistance (RTA). This controversy has stirred debate among poker professionals, with many arguing that the evidence is insufficient to support the claims.
The Allegations: RTA Use in WSOP Online Michigan
The alleged scandal centers around Ruscitti, who plays under the screen name “GR4ND THEFT”. He recently won his first WSOP bracelet in a $500 NLH PKO event, but just days after his victory, his account was suspended following allegations from other players.
The initial suspicion arose from fellow player Ryan Hiller, who claimed to have overheard Ruscitti boasting about using RTA software in front of other Michigan players. RTA tools like GTO Wizard and PIO Solver are prohibited in online poker, as they allow players to consult game theory-based strategies in real-time, giving them an unfair advantage.
To substantiate his suspicions, Hiller employed Fair Play Checks, a feature of GTO Wizard that verifies if a player has consulted specific hands or spots during a particular moment. According to Hiller, he found several inconsistencies in Ruscitti’s play, including instances where Ruscitti used up to 30 seconds of his time bank to make strategically precise bets.
The Community Divided: Insufficient Evidence?
The investigation gained traction among the Michigan poker community, who collectively gathered more evidence against Ruscitti. However, not everyone is convinced. High-profile players like Matt Berkey and Alex Theologis criticized the published Fair Play Checks, pointing out that the specific spots checked in GTO Wizard did not match the times, stacks, or even the formats of the accused hands. They deemed the evidence inconclusive.
Ruscitti Defends Himself
Ruscitti has strongly denied all accusations. In a statement to PokerNews, he compared the situation to being accused of cheating in a board game out of frustration:
“When you were younger and beat someone at a board game, what’s the first thing they’d say? ‘You’re cheating!’ That’s what’s happening to me right now. Michigan players are losing to Las Vegas players since the merge, and because I succeeded, they’re trying to label me as a cheater. It’s ridiculous.”
On Facebook, Ruscitti emphasized his innocence, dismissing claims by a retired micro-stakes player, Justin Pimpedly, who accused him of using RTA. He asserted:
“Not only do I not use GTO Wizard, but I don’t even use a HUD while playing on PokerStars. I don’t need GTO Wizard when I am a wizard. I’ve been grinding for 12 hours a day for the past four years, and for some reason, people can’t accept that I’m just good at the game.”
What’s Next?
The investigation is ongoing, and Ruscitti has expressed confidence that he will be exonerated. However, his win has already sparked controversy, especially for Cherish Andrews, who lost the heads-up battle for the bracelet against him.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the investigation progresses.
