ClubWPT Controversy: Doug Polk Rails Against New “Pay to Peek” Feature

Poker star Doug Polk is speaking out against   Gold’s controversial new feature that lets players pay to see their opponents’ hole cards. The three-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner, YouTube personality, and ClubWPT ambassador didn’t hold back, calling the option a tax on recreational players and a dangerous shift in how the game is played.

A Controversial New Feature

On Saturday, Polk took to his YouTube channel to air concerns about ClubWPT Gold’s latest addition. The feature allows players to spend a small fee to reveal their opponent’s hole cards after the hand is complete. While some casual players might see this as a fun perk or a learning opportunity, many in the poker community immediately slammed the idea.

“It’s essentially going to turn into a tax on weaker players because I don’t think pros will use this, really,” Polk said. “If you’re a good player, you’re probably not spending the money to be able to see what people had. And my personal recommendation would be not to spend the money. Do not use this feature.”

Polk also noted that similar tools already exist in some Asian and European online poker platforms, but he warned against normalizing them on U.S. sites.

Why Polk Thinks It Hurts the Game

Polk laid out several reasons why he believes the new feature is harmful to the poker ecosystem:

• Players revealing hands they don’t want to show – Poker has always been built on the foundation of secrecy and incomplete information. Forcing a hand reveals erodes this principle erodes.

• Fewer big calls at the table – If players can simply pay to see what their opponent had, they may avoid betting, reducing the drama and strategy that make poker exciting.

• A drain on recreational bankrolls – Polk warned that this would siphon sweeps coins from casual players faster, leaving them less likely to stay in the game long-term.

• Changing the core DNA of poker – “I just don’t think you should do that,” Polk said. “Poker is about incomplete information.”

Polk has long positioned himself as a defender of the game’s integrity, and this latest critique fits squarely with his reputation.

Are There Any Positives?

While strongly opposed, Polk did admit the feature could have some limited upsides. For example, it might help beginners learn faster by seeing what opponents were holding. Additionally, mandatory post-hand transparency could prevent collusion or soft play between shady players.

Still, Polk stressed these benefits don’t outweigh the negatives. “In my opinion, the cons greatly outweigh them,” he emphasized.

A History of Fighting Against “More Rake”

For longtime fans, Polk’s stance against ClubWPT Gold’s decision feels familiar. He’s never been afraid to take on the industry’s biggest names.

Years earlier, Polk famously clashed with Canadian poker legend Daniel Negreanu over PokerStars’ decision to increase rake and eliminate the SuperNova Elite rewards program. Negreanu defended the changes, arguing higher rake could sometimes be positive for players. Polk pounced, calling him “a massive hypocrite” and “an embarrassment to the game.”

The feud became one of poker’s most talked-about rivalries. Polk wore a “More Rake is Better” t-shirt during the Super High Roller Bowl against Negreanu and even rented a billboard outside the Rio during the WSOP with the same phrase. The trolling cemented his reputation as poker’s sharpest critic of unfair practices.

Now, with ClubWPT introducing what some call “rake by another name,” Polk is once again making headlines.

Polk’s Ties to ClubWPT Gold

The controversy is especially striking because Polk is not just a poker pro sounding off—he’s also directly connected to the site. Earlier this month, Polk sold his training company to ClubWPT Gold and became an ambassador for the platform.

That makes his criticism all the more surprising. Rather than toe the company line, Polk has taken a bold step by challenging the very site he represents. On Twitter/X, he doubled down after releasing his YouTube video, hinting that he’s pushing for changes or rollbacks to the feature.

The Bigger Picture

The uproar highlights a broader debate within online poker: How much innovation is too much? While new features can make the game more exciting, they also risk undermining the traditions and strategies that have defined poker for generations.

For Polk, the message is clear: poker thrives when it stays true to its essence—incomplete information, psychological battles, and player skill deciding outcomes.

As ClubWPT Gold navigates backlash, all eyes are on whether Polk’s criticism sparks change—or if the feature becomes another flashpoint in the ongoing evolution of online poker.

FAQs

1. What is the new ClubWPT Gold feature Doug Polk criticized?
The site introduced an option where players can pay a fee to see opponents’ hole cards after a hand ends.

2. Why does Polk think it’s harmful?
He argues it unfairly taxes recreational players, changes poker’s core principle of hidden information, and reduces long-term player engagement.

3. Has Polk criticized poker sites before?
Yes. He famously battled Daniel Negreanu over PokerStars’ rake changes, trolling him with a “More Rake is Better” campaign that became iconic in the poker world.