Triple WSOPC Winners Prize Money Frozen After Removing Chips From Florida Tournament
February 18, 2014 12:25 pmThe World Series of Poker Circuit Palm Beach Kennel Club Event #9 has ended in controversy after the winner was allegedly seen trying to remove a $25k chip from the tournament. The incident involves poker pro Chan Pelton, who last weekend won his third WSOPC ring in Florida, having first overcome a field of 181 at the $1,125 NLHE event to claim the top prize of $47,061.
However, with the tournament complete, Chan Pelton was apparently seen by tournament staff trying to swipe a $25k chip, which he later claimed he wanted as a souvenir. Others are less convinced of his stated intention, with many TwoPlusTwo thread posters suggesting he probably intended to use it to gain an unfair advantage at the $1,675 Main Event. Commenting on the bizarre ending to Event #9, WSOP’s Jess Welman, stated:
“Yesterday, after Event 9, the $1,125 No Limit Hold’em event concluded, tournament staff discovered a player had removed chips from the chip set being used in the event. The Palm Beach Kennel Club and local gaming authorities are currently conducting an investigation into the event and the player’s eligibility.”
In the meanwhile, Pelton’s winnings have been frozen until the investigation is concluded. Heaping further controversy onto what should have been a day of celebrations, police later searching Pelton’s car also discovered marijuana, which he acknowledged he intended to distribute.
Incredibly, Pelton’s victory would have completed a hat-trick of WSOPC wins, starting in 2012 when he won the $345 WSOPC Choctaw for $28,175 and followed last week by his victory at the $365 Pot Limit Omaha Eight or Better WSOPC West Palm Beach for $12,181. Consequently, after his latest win Chan Pelton was on track to take down the WSOPC Casino Championship, and claim a free seat to the 2014 National Championship but that all now hangs in the balance. As WSOP’s Jess Welman, explains:
“Until this investigation is wrapped, we will be unable to finalize Casino Champion standings for the Palm Beach Kennel Club stop, as this event has bearing on the final points standings in the race. We will announce the Casino Champion winner once we have a resolution, but it will likely be determined after the action wraps here in Palm Beach on Monday.”