Ren Lin Comes Clean After GGMillion$ Coaching Controversy
The poker world lit up recently after high-stakes grinder Tony “Ren” Lin admitted to giving real-time advice to a friend during a GGPoker final table — a move that led to his disqualification from the WSOP Super Circuit Cyprus Main Event.
Lin, a prominent high-stakes pro and GGPoker ambassador, took full responsibility for what he called an honest but serious mistake. The drama started after accusations surfaced that Lin had advised “RealOA,” who went on to win more than $300,000 in the $10,300 GGMillion$ event.
From Online to Onsite Fallout
Things escalated quickly when Lin was reportedly disqualified from Day 2 of the $5M GTD WSOPC Main Event in Cyprus. The punishment for an online violation spilling into a live event sparked a huge debate across social media.
Some players argued that the DQ was too harsh; others said it was the right call to protect game integrity. Lin later posted a long apology on Twitter/X explaining what happened.
“I Wanted to Help a Friend”
According to Lin, he joined a Tencent Meeting call during a break in his WSOPC session and noticed that “RealOA” was deep in a major online final table. When asked for his opinion on a hand, Lin admitted he “instinctively” gave advice — a decision he quickly came to regret.
“The entire interaction lasted only a few minutes,” Lin wrote. “I didn’t realize it was considered a rule violation at the time and treated it like the post-hand chats we usually have among friends.”
He went on to clarify that he had no financial interest in any player, saying he “received no payment, no stake, and no benefit whatsoever.”
Lin first apologized to “Buzzcut,” the third-place finisher, before issuing a public statement.
Prize Money Returned, Lesson Learned
In an effort to make things right, Lin revealed that “RealOA” had already returned most of the prize money, and that he personally covered the rest to ensure a fair resolution. “The total amount has been submitted to the platform for fair distribution,” Lin confirmed.
He ended his statement by saying he was “deeply ashamed and remorseful” and ready to accept all penalties from both the platform and the poker community.
Negreanu: “He Owned It”
While many pros weighed in online, Daniel Negreanu publicly defended Lin and praised his accountability. The GGPoker ambassador commended Lin’s integrity and sense of responsibility in a post that resonated with much of the poker community.
“This all rings very true to me knowing Ren for several years and his character in regards to poker and his passion for it. He made a mistake trying to help a friend he was excited for and I think this apology owns it appropriately. He accepts his consequences responsibly IMO,” Negreanu wrote.
A Wake-Up Call for Online Ethics
The Lin incident has reignited a bigger discussion about ethics in poker — especially where online and live rules overlap. In an era of streams, group chats, and instant communication, the line between friendly rail support and “real-time assistance” has never been thinner.
For now, Lin has accepted the penalties and issued a public apology. As for the rest of the community, it’s a reminder that in today’s poker world, even a few minutes on a video call can change everything.
