Nearly a week after the hand heard around the world on the “Hustler Casino Live” stream, people are still debating as to what actually happened between Garrett Adelstein and Robbi Jade Lew. In case you missed out on the controversy, you can read our recap of the controversial hand.
High Stakes Poker Productions, the company that runs “Hustler Casino Live,” released a statement saying that they’re in the process of hiring a law firm to conduct a thorough investigation of the hand. They say they could use a polygraph machine, if needed, in the investigation, but concluded by saying that no evidence of wrongdoing has been found to this point.
An update pic.twitter.com/uxLb6pbi7D
— Hustler Casino Live (@HCLPokerShow) October 2, 2022
Adelstein’s statement called into question
Perhaps just as controversial as the hand itself was the decision for Lew to give Adelstein his money back after the discussion they had off camera with “Hustler Casino Live” co-founder Ryan Feldman. In Adelstein’s initial statement, he says that Lew originally offered to give him the money back and that he had accepted.
Feldman has since gone on the record saying that it was Adelstein’s idea for Lew to give him the money back. For some, this changes their position on the matter, calling Adelstein’s character into question.
He lost his credibility with me by making a lie on his first released statement https://t.co/6hkYgB9vHI pic.twitter.com/HaSPz7l8QK
— Allen Kessler (@AllenKessler) October 3, 2022
Ive been one of the biggest Garrett supporters, but 2 things he didnt handle well imo
1)Feldmans account of what happened off stream is Garrett asked for the money back. He shouldnt have said it was her idea
2)Make clear what happens with the $. Probably give it to a 3rd party
— Doug Polk (@DougPolkVids) October 2, 2022
Wow agree that’s surprising if that was Feldman’s account. Anyone got a link? https://t.co/ficlvnsmtK
— Tom Dwan (@TomDwan) October 3, 2022
As for the latest from the two players at the center of the controversy, Lew has quote-tweeted a few comments made in her defense, including the one below from Matt Glantz, where she says he nails the description of what happened.
Nailed it. https://t.co/aCUAB8DPAL
— Robbi Jade Lew (@RobbiJadeLew) October 2, 2022
On the other side, Adelstein hasn’t tweeted since September 30, when he implied that he accepted her offer to play heads-up for high stakes. Adelstein has also been liking some tweets that have come to his defense as recently as October 3.
Poker Twitter continues to debate
Poker pros were trading so many opinions with each other on Twitter throughout the weekend that Cracking Aces created a spreadsheet detailing where certain players fall on the matter.
Where the poker community currently stands. Looks like most don't think she cheated…but some big names think she did.
Great work via @beeeemo pic.twitter.com/ZhAJHsevoO
— Barstool Poker: Cracking Aces (@CrackingAAces) October 2, 2022
That spreadsheet might need some updating, as Mike Matusow claims that after going back and forth, he now thinks Lew didn’t cheat and, instead, believes she may have been under the influence of pills or drugs.
Here’s the bottom line! People like Garrett ,Doug Polk , Berkey of course will lean cheat as I first did until I realized wow this girl is high on some serious pills and has no clue where she is! And on that note she did not cheat! Take emotion out of equation and you see truth! https://t.co/ObVcxygpc1
— Mike Matusow (@themouthmatusow) October 3, 2022
2013 WSOP Main Event champion Ryan Riess is strongly of the belief that Lew didn’t cheat and, instead, made a good call. Riess is known for making his own incredible call when he called all in on the river with 10-high in an EPT Monaco event. His hand was good by the way.
Robbi makes the sickest call of all time and this is how she is treated. Good job poker community 👏
— Ryan Riess (@RyanRiess1) September 30, 2022
Despite saying that he thinks Adelstein handled the aftermath poorly, former high-stakes heads-up pro Doug Polk put together an extensive video on the matter, where he makes it clear that he believes Lew was cheating in some way.
Online poker legend Phil Galfond also penned a lengthy Twitter thread where he breaks down his thoughts on the hand. The overall conclusion is that he is fairly confident Lew did not cheat in the hand.
Okay, fine! I'll weigh in. 🙈
First, disclaimers:
– To form a strong opinion, I'd want to see all of the hands played by Robbi.
– My info as of now is just 1hr on twitter, 30 min of a @Joeingram1 stream. Most recent @DougPolkVids vid.
– Bc of that, I'm keeping a very open mind— Phil Galfond (@PhilGalfond) October 2, 2022
Six-time WSOP bracelet winner Daniel Negreanu posted a few thoughts on his Twitter, drawing much discussion and deliberation in the comments. Throughout each point, Negreanu seems to make it clear that he doesn’t believe there was any foul play, and that Lew was simply flustered throughout the entire hand and its aftermath. He has also posted a poll where 77% of respondents think that Adelstein should give the money back.
I’ve played 30 years now and have seen lots of strange things from amateur players that aren’t logical and usually occur due to being in a high stress situation and having a brain fart.
Example, amateur checks back KK on the river on KJJ23 on TV
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) September 30, 2022
Where do you stand on the drama? Do you think Lew cheated or was simply a rookie player committing a comedy of errors to make it seem like that? Let us know what you think in the comments.
