In “how grown ups should handle a dispute” news, runner-up Tony Miles apologized on Twitter for accusing WSOP Main Event champion John Cynn of slowrolling him on the final hand of the tournament.
Drama Surrounds Main Event Ending
The two new millionaires battled on live television for over 10 hours, trading the chip lead back and forth multiple times, and the bracelet came down to an interesting final hand.
Miles, who had turned a pair of eights, moved all-in but didn’t get snap-called by Cynn and his trip kings with a jack kicker. In heads-up play, trips is an even bigger hand than in a multi-way pot.
After more than one minute, Cynn made the call with his opponent drawing dead and won the tournament. When the two competitors went to shake hands, a disappointed Miles said, “you slowrolled me.”
It was an odd ending to a final table that had so much comradery between the players, including the heads-up foes. Although these nine individuals had barely met, it was clear to anyone watching on ESPN that they shared a mutual respect for each other.
So, when Miles made that comment to the new world champion, it made some question if there was some animosity between the two players.
Runner-Up Issues Apology
Miles made it clear in a heartfelt Twitter apology there are no hard feelings between he and his opponent.
I just wanted to respond to some of the things that were being said last night after my HU match with Johnny. I appreciate people being understanding and open-minded about a situation where we were both delirious and battling our ❤’s out!
— Tony Miles (@Storm253) July 15, 2018
Miles, who held a big chip lead heading into the Main Event’s final day, was in unfamiliar territory, running deep in a major poker tournament. He had just $54,000 in career live tournament earnings prior to winning $5 million for his 2nd place finish last weekend.
After battling for three long days to win a bracelet he openly admitted would have been a dream come true, it’s understandable that an inexperienced player such as Miles would be frustrated with the end result.
But he owned up to his mistake with a formal apology to the world champion.
“I am so happy for John,” he wrote. “Not only is he an amazing player but he’s a gentleman. His character and demeanor throughout the tournament was a lesson on how to carry yourself with class and poise.”
He admitted he had a “brief moment of weakness” and said he lost his “composure” after the final hand.
Cynn tank-called a monster hand which irritated his opponent, but Miles now understands that when so much money and fame is at stake, it’s best to think through each decision instead of making a snap-call, even with a big hand.
