WSOP Bad Boy Will Kassouf Returning to Las Vegas This Summer

The bad boy of the 2025 World Series of Poker Main Event is heading back to Las Vegas.

Will Kassouf has confirmed to PokerNews that he will return to the WSOP this summer, saying: “I’ll be there from the end of June through to mid-July for the final three weeks of the WSOP.”

And if you thought his infamous Main Event exit last year had earned him a ban, think again. Kassouf told PokerNews he has since been in communication with the WSOP and was informed that he “can play in all WSOP events worldwide.”

What Happened Last Year?

That means it won’t just be Martin Kabrhel‘s voice echoing through the halls of Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas when the 2026 WSOP Main Event begins on July 2.

But what exactly happened last summer that saw Kassouf escorted from the property by security?

Kassouf first became a household name in the poker world after his speech-play-heavy run to 17th place in the 2016 WSOP Main Event. That run ended with a now-infamous verbal spat with Griffin Benger, a moment that has since become part of Main Event lore. Nearly a decade later, Kassouf found himself back in the spotlight after making the business end of poker’s world championship once again, eventually exiting in 33rd place on Day 7.

But Kassouf’s antics began much earlier in the tournament, first with a long tank with the second nuts in a Day 2 flight.

Kassouf halted action at the table for more than ten minutes with a king-high flush before opponent Sacha Cohen eventually called the clock, leading to Kassouf calling the Frenchman with his Main Event life on the line. The incident proved to be a sign of things to come.

By Day 6, Kassouf had briefly climbed to the top of the chip counts after finding himself on the right side of an aces-versus-kings cooler against Stephen Kehoe. However, his stack later dwindled and he finished the day 54th of the 57 remaining players.

Over the course of that session, the clock was called on Kassouf 23 times. Tournament officials eventually imposed a penalty that reduced him to ten seconds per decision. The restriction was lifted during the final level, but Kassouf still bagged just 2,850,000 chips.

More penalties followed on Day 7, leading to a heated exchange with Jack Effel, the WSOP’s Senior Vice President of Poker Operations.

After once again being placed on a ten-second shot clock for repeated tanking, Kassouf argued that “Americans can’t take it” and claimed he was being unfairly targeted.

Effel, who also dealt with Kassouf during the 2016 Main Event, eventually calmed the situation during a break. He offered to remove the restriction if Kassouf would “change your behavior.” When Kassouf later moved to the feature table, his shot clock was increased to 30 seconds, though tournament staff reserved the right to reduce it again if necessary.

Then came his elimination to Kenny Hallaert. Kassouf’s pocket sevens failed to hold against PokerStars ambassador’s king-five, ending his run in 33rd place.

As he left the table, Kassouf told his opponents, “I’ll remember all of your faces” and “I’ll see you next year” before making his exit to collect a $300,000 payday.

The rail responded with a chorus of “Sha-la-la, hey hey, goodbye,” and after completing a round of media interviews, Kassouf was escorted from the property by security. He was subsequently barred from participating in the remainder of the 2025 WSOP.

Kassouf’s Side of the Story

Speaking to the PokerNews Podcast after his viral elimination, Kassouf said he felt he was reacting to the way he was treated by players and tournament staff rather than deliberately trying to cause problems.

“There’s two sides to every story,” Kassouf said. “I wasn’t actively going out and hating, berating, and name-calling people at the table. I was only reacting to how I was being treated.”

Kassouf was particularly critical of how officials handled the escalating situation, claiming he received inconsistent rulings and was unfairly placed on a 10-second shot clock after being told at the end of Day 6 that he would start Day 7 with a clean slate.

He also pushed back against speculation that his behavior was linked to drugs or a mental health episode.

“No drugs whatsoever,” Kassouf said. “Just me. I’m naturally full of energy. Maybe I’m just built different.”

He also appeared to have no intention of changing who he is. Comparing himself to U.S. President Donald Trump, Kassouf described himself as “controversial, polarizing, and chaotic,” adding that whether people love him or hate him, they continue to talk about him.

Calum has been a part of the PokerNews team since September 2021 after working in the UK energy sector. He played his first hand of poker in 2017 and immediately fell in love with the game.

Calum has written for various poker outlets but found his home at PokerNews, where he has contributed to various articles and live updates, providing insights and reporting on major poker events, including the World Series of Poker (WSOP).