Jacky Wang sheds light on FTP 500 II debacle Australia’s National Poker League releases statement...
Jacky Wang talks exclusively to Poker Portal Asia about the now infamous hand.
After the story broke of a tournament director’s unfortunate ruling at the FTP 500 II in Sydney last weekend (see Harsh Ruling at FTP 500), poker blogs and forums have been abuzz over the subject, with many expressing sympathy for Jacky Wang – the player caught on the wrong side of the decision. Now the National Poker League in Australia has posted a “Jacky Wang Update” on their website in response to the furore, which reads:
“The National Poker League and Jacky Wang have met and positively resolved any issues arising from the FTP 500 II event held at Parramatta Leagues Club this weekend. We would ask our players not to focus on one ruling from over 25 major events the NPL have run, but to look at all the positives the FTP 500 II has brought to the poker scene in Australia. This is the biggest Pub Poker Tournament held outside of a casino in Australia, giving all Pub Poker Players a chance to play against their peers for a massive $500,000 prize pool! This tournament was put together to give our players the chance to experience big time poker tournaments and so gain the necessary experience to compete at the highest level.”
Clearly the NPL wishes to move on past the issue but we were curious as to how such an incident could be “positively resolved”. Poker Portal Asia went straight to the man himself, Jacky Wang, to get his side of the events that transpired and how he feels it has been handled. Here’s what he had to say:
PPA: Can you just explain in your own words what happened in the hand in question?
JW: Basically the action goes between the UTG with around 100k and SB (me) with around 200k in chips. UTG opens for 26k, it folds around to me, and I re-raise to 50k. UTG flat calls. Flop Q-7-6 with two hearts. I check, UTG checks. Turn 6. I ask UTG how many chips he has left – just a formality to Hollywood at this point – who replies "Around 50k". I bet 50k, UTG pushes all his chips in then says call. I think because he has pushed all chips in and said call then naturally the 50k bet was enough. He then asks me if he was beat and I mention I have a book then turn my cards over expecting a showdown. He then looks straight at the dealer and says "Is that not a muck? I still have chips. That hand is dead – the pot is mine."
The tournament director was then called over, with everyone trying to tell him what happened. He basically came down to the judgement that because my hand had been turned over too early, and the other guy still had chips left over, that my hand was dead.
PPA: How did you feel at the time of the TD’s decision and how did it change the course of the FTP 500 II for you?
JW: I felt I was in no position to challenge the decision – inexperience on my part – because he is the official head TD. It was also the first major event I had played under the NPL league so who knows what rules they play with. I also trusted the organisation to know what’s best.
I was overwhelmed by how ridiculous the hand had turned out with no personal anguish towards anyone. And so I went ahead and tried to push past the situation as I still had chips left over to play for. Unfortunately for me, I found myself in a bad spot with the same player once again who woke up in the BB with AK verus my K6 to knock me out.
PPA: The NPL have now posted a statement saying they have “positively resolved” the issue with you. What has this entailed?
JW: I wouldn't say positively resolved as such, but more so I see it as a tactic to skim out of the situation as cheap as they can. There will be more listed in my personal statement [to come].
PPA: How do you feel now that the NPL has said it’s time to move on from the issue?
JW: I feel that the NPL as a business need to do what is required to keep their best interests at stake. If they feel this is as much responsibility they can take then it is their choice. I never expected an outcome greater than just walking away from it all and to worry about how I can avoid these situations in the future. I am just thankful for all the support that I've been receiving over the last few days!
UPDATE: On June 18, 2011, Jacky Wang released a statement on his blog, which can be read here.
