In a stunning and unprecedented move that’s sent shockwaves through the poker world, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) cancelled its $1,000,000 GTD online bracelet event—Event #7: $250 Mystery Bounty—midway through Day 2, citing technical issues that left hundreds of players locked out of the platform.
What was meant to be a celebration of online poker turned into a chaotic episode, with furious players, unanswered questions, and allegations of unfair advantage for those who managed to log in. With a seven-figure prize pool on the line, and at least one $100,000 bounty already claimed, the sudden cancellation has left the community stunned—and demanding accountability.
The Story Unfolds: “I Couldn’t Log In to Play a Single Hand”
Terrance Reid, a well-known face at PokerOrg and a respected player on the circuit, was among the many affected by the outage. His detailed firsthand account paints a grim picture of what went down.
“I bagged the $250 Mystery Bounty and was ready to play Day 2,” Reid said. “I tried logging in from the Horseshoe ballroom at 6:28 PM—laptop, phone, WiFi, mobile data—you name it. Nothing worked.”
Despite Reid’s efforts, including seeking help at the WSOP online desk onsite, he was unable to access his account. What made matters worse? Other players could. “One guy at my live table was in the same event. He said he could log in and was raising every hand. With everyone else sitting out, he was stealing blinds and building a stack.”
Eventually, Reid managed to log in—only to discover he had been blinded out and lost after being forced all-in. “The desk told me their higher-ups would ‘make it right.’ I’m still waiting on that email.”
WSOP’s Statement Doesn’t Satisfy Players
At 8:21 PM, WSOP issued a brief and generic statement:
“Today’s restart of Online Bracelet Event #7 encountered technical difficulties that resulted in a high number of players unable to log in for the tournament. Therefore, the tournament has been cancelled, and all players who were in the field at the start of Day 2 will be contacted.”
While the WSOP did acknowledge the technical problems, the lack of detail, transparency, or resolution only served to escalate frustration across social media. Many players questioned how a company of WSOP and GGPoker’s scale could allow this to happen during an official bracelet event with a seven-figure guarantee.
Bounties Pulled, Field Narrowed—Then Cancelled?
One of the most controversial aspects of this debacle is that bounties were already claimed on Day 2, including the $100,000 jackpot bounty, before the cancellation occurred. Meanwhile, the player field had reportedly shrunk from over 1,100 to just 234 players before WSOP pulled the plug.
“This is actually wild,” said Garry Gates, a member of PokerOrg’s Player Advisory Board. “Most of the huge bounties already hit, and the field was deep into Day 2. It’s going to be very interesting to see how they attempt to make this one right.”
Adding to the outrage, the WSOP has not yet confirmed whether the players who lost their stacks will be refunded or compensated, nor what will happen to the prize pool or awarded bounties.
“A Chance for WSOP to Show Integrity” – Matt Berkey Weighs In
High-stakes pro and Solve for Why founder Matt Berkey called out the situation as a massive opportunity for the WSOP and GGPoker to do the right thing.
“With all the goodwill ClubWPT Gold has shown players throughout their early nightmares AND the grandstanding, giving away a million at a WSOP event, this is a pretty major opportunity for WSOP/GGPoker to do something overly generous to make it right,” Berkey posted.
His sentiment resonates across the poker community. Many feel this is a moment where WSOP’s long-standing brand could be tarnished if the wrong steps are taken—or significantly elevated if they offer transparency and generous reparations.
Reactions Pour In: “Make It Right”
Across X (formerly Twitter), Discord servers, and forums like TwoPlusTwo and Reddit’s /r/poker, the backlash was swift and loud.
Here are some selected reactions:
- @TheGrindKid: “Imagine bagging a WSOP bracelet event and waking up to find it was canceled… after some players got bounties and others couldn’t even log in? Absolute clown show.
- @PokerLifePodcast: “This is the kind of PR disaster that should force a major policy overhaul. Every affected player needs full transparency, refund, and possibly a freeroll.”
- @SharkByteVegas: “Was in the $250. Couldn’t log in. Watched my stack blind out while others doubled. What kind of joke is this? And no communication for hours???”
What Happens Next?
That’s the million-dollar question—literally.
As of now, the WSOP has only promised to contact affected players. No details have been provided on:
- Whether all bounties will be refunded or honored
- If players who never played a hand will get a full refund
- How the already-claimed $100K bounty will be handled
- If a make-up event or freeroll will be offered
With mounting public pressure and the integrity of the bracelet series at stake, players are watching closely. WSOP now faces a pivotal moment that could either restore faith or further fuel distrust in online bracelet events.
Final Thoughts
The WSOP 2025 online Mystery Bounty event was supposed to be a celebration of innovation, blending online accessibility with prestigious bracelet glory. Instead, it has become a case study in what happens when technical failure meets poor communication.
For a brand as iconic as the WSOP, the way they handle the next 48 hours could define how players perceive online bracelet events going forward. Poker isn’t just about the cards—it’s about fairness, trust, and the spirit of competition. It’s time for the WSOP to show they understand that.
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Sources:
- PokerOrg player reports
- WSOP official social post (8:21 PM PT)
- Public reactions on Twitter/X
- Statements from Terrance Reid, Matt Berkey, and Garry Gates