Poker Pro Ali Tekintamgac causes a stir

Posted on 5/19/11

TEKINTAMGAC CAUSES A STIR AT WPT
 
Larger than expected field overshadowed by controversial player
 
Ali Tekintamgac and his admittance to play at the WPT Championship at Bellagio has created a buzz amongst the poker fraternity.
 
Tekintamgac was disqualified from the Partouche Poker Tour (PPT) Main Event towards the end of 2010  amid accusations from tour organisers, based on video footage, that he had cheated by using media personnel to signal his opponents hole cards during play.
 
The German poker pro has reportedly counter-sued the PPT and is asking for Euro 1.3 million (the main prize of the tournament) as well as Euro 200 000 in damages to his reputation.
 
As the winner of the WPT Spanish Championship held in Barcelona, Spain during May 2010, Tekintamgac won a seat in the Bellagio event but fellow poker pro's are protesting and have questioned how he could have been permitted to enter the event after being disqualified for allegedly cheating by a major poker tour.