Tournament players won’t be able to use cell phones after an event falls to three tables
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is introducing stricter rules on the use of personal devices during its bracelet events, aiming to eliminate the chance of outside assistance during critical tournament moments. Starting this year, players will no longer be allowed to use phones or any electronic devices once an event reaches its final three tables.
This policy change follows the controversy known as “Laptopgate,” which occurred during a high-stakes WSOP event last year. That incident involved the use of a laptop at the table, sparking widespread criticism and prompting many poker tours to revisit their device policies. The WSOP is now tightening its own rules to maintain fair play and protect the integrity of the game.
Under the new rule, once a tournament is down to three tables, players must stop using any electronic devices inside the tournament room. Phones will need to be put away and can only be accessed during official breaks or once a player has exited the tournament. The policy also bans spectators from coaching or using devices to assist players in any way.
The rule targets not just obvious forms of assistance but also the more subtle and growing use of solver software, which has become widely available on even basic smartphones. These tools allow users to run real-time calculations and make near-perfect decisions, which gives anyone using them a clear advantage.
At the same time this restriction is being introduced, the WSOP has launched a new WSOP+ app to streamline registration and player services. That contrast has not gone unnoticed by the poker community, but organizers believe the timing is right to make a clear distinction between administrative tools and anything that could affect gameplay.
With these changes, the WSOP aims to keep competition fair as technology becomes more deeply woven into the fabric of poker.
