Kevin “GR4ND_THEFT” Ruscitti faces accusations from several players of using solvers
The poker community in Michigan has been full of controversy as Kevin “GR4ND_THEFT” Ruscitti, the reigning WSOP Online Michigan Player of the Year, finds himself at the center of cheating allegations. Ruscitti, who recently won a WSOP bracelet in an online event, had his account suspended after several Michigan poker players accused him of using real-time assistance (RTA), a prohibited tool that helps players make decisions during games.
Ever play against GR4ND_THEFT on @WSOPcom? The reigning @WSOPcom Player of the Year and recent online bracelet winner Kevin Ruscitti’s account was suspended, almost certainly due to his failing numerous GTO Wizard fair play checks. Hope @WSOPcom / @WSOP / @GGPoker does the right… pic.twitter.com/i0tgYVKkTc
— Mario Arribas (@MarioPartyPoker) October 22, 2024
Ruscitti has strongly denied these accusations, explaining that his success is being wrongly attributed to cheating. He claims that some players, upset by their losses, are unfairly targeting him. According to him, “I’m a wild player… but one thing I’m not is a cheater.”
Despite his defense, fellow players like Ryan “MagicJohnson” Hiller have raised concerns, noting that Ruscitti’s play changed in suspicious ways during certain hands. Hiller and other players conducted “Fair Play Checks,” a tool that tracks how closely a player’s moves align with a solver’s recommended plays. They found instances that seemed to confirm their suspicions.
Michigan poker players, including Mario Arribas, worked behind the scenes to compile enough evidence to present to WSOP, which eventually led to Ruscitti’s account being frozen. However, prominent figures like Matt Berkey have cautioned against jumping to conclusions, pointing out that Fair Play Checks can sometimes produce false positives.
Ruscitti’s case is still under investigation, and many are calling for WSOP to take swift action if the accusations prove to be true. Some players, including Cherish Andrews, believe that if cheating is confirmed, the winnings should be redistributed, and Ruscitti should be stripped of his title. The case highlights the importance of maintaining fair play in online poker, where technology can sometimes blur the lines.
