Doug Polk, one of the most recognizable figures in modern poker, has openly criticized a controversial new feature on ClubWPT Gold—a move that puts him at odds with the very platform he represents.
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A Feature Few Support
The update allows players in cash games to spend two or three big blinds, depending on stakes, to reveal folded hole cards once a hand concludes. Unlike a typical pot contribution, the fee goes straight to the site, not to other players.
The reaction from the professional community has been overwhelmingly negative. Brian Rast and Shaun Deeb both dismissed the idea, while Matt Berkey labeled it an “idiot tax.” Across social media, the strongest objections were not only about exposing mucked hands but about the perception that the site profits at the direct expense of its customers.
Polk’s Measured Yet Blunt Critique
In a seven-minute YouTube video, Polk initially played coy, teasing his audience with the suggestion that he might defend the new tool. He even referenced the infamous “more rake is better” slogan once tied to his rivalry with Daniel Negreanu. But the set-up gave way to a stark denunciation.
“I’m not sure if ambassadors are supposed to speak out against their own sites here, but that’s what we’re going to do here today because I don’t like this whatsoever,” Polk said. “I get that there are a couple of positives, but the cons greatly outweigh them.”
To Polk, the main positive is the feature’s potential to deter cheating. “When players are at a table and something looks fishy, you now can instantly see the hands and know if it was collusion or not. That’s a good thing,” he acknowledged. Yet, he quickly stressed that this safeguard does not justify the overall harm.
Polk argued that the cost of the reveal will primarily fall on recreational players. “I don’t think pros will use this. It’s effectively a tax on weaker players,” he said, while encouraging regulars to avoid paying for the option altogether.
A Troubled Role as Ambassador
Polk has never been shy about challenging poker sites, and this episode is no exception. “Players get to vote with where they play, so if you really hate this, probably don’t play on ClubWPT Gold. I think I might be the worst poker ambassador of all time,” he joked, before adding that perhaps others could hold that title instead.
While he promised to push internally for changes—whether removing the feature outright or redistributing the fees back to players—Polk admitted the final call is not his to make. “Ultimately I do not make the decisions for this company,” he said.
This is not the first time Polk has gone off-script. Earlier this year, he appeared on national television wearing his sponsor patch upside down, a gesture that raised eyebrows and reinforced his reputation as a contrarian voice in poker.
The Bigger Picture
For Polk, the issue underscores a recurring theme in his career: resistance to features or business models he views as predatory. Whether his advocacy leads to changes at ClubWPT Gold remains to be seen, but his decision to publicly challenge his own sponsor once again highlights the uneasy relationship between professional players and the platforms they represent.
