Doug Polk used his YouTube channel to criticize the online poker site he represents.
On Saturday, he weighed in on ClubWPT Gold’s new feature that allows players to view their opponent’s hole cards at the hand’s conclusion for a small fee.
The feature drew the ire of many players who say the site’s addition is bad for the game. Polk agreed, but noted the feature can already be found in online poker platforms in Asia and Europe.
“I get there are a couple of positives, but in my opinion, the cons greatly outweigh them,” Polk said. “It’s essentially going to turn into a tax on weaker players because I don’t think pros will use this, really. If you’re a good player, you’re probably not spending the money to be able to see what people had. And actually, my personally recommendation would be to not spend the money. I would say do not use this feature.”
Polk reiterated his views on Twitter/X a day after he released the video. He added that he was taking steps towards changing at least some of the new feature.
For those who missed my video yesterday, here’s my take on the ClubWPT Gold situation:
I think it’s a bad feature and I am talking to people behind the scenes to try and get it removed. Or at least make it so that some of the money goes to the players
— Doug Polk (Code Doug) (@DougPolkVids) August 18, 2025
Not only does Polk represent the online poker site. He also sold his training company to ClubWPT Gold at the start of the month.
More Rake Isn’t Better
Polk said using the feature would siphon away sweeps coins from recreational players quicker. And that’s bad for the overall poker ecosystem.
The three-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner pointed to some other major negatives:
- Players revealing hands they don’t want to show
- Players not paying off bets because they can pay the fee to see what their opponent had
- Changing the way the game was played for generations
“I just don’t think you should do that,” said Polk. “I think the game of poker is about incomplete information.”
While Polk criticized ClubWPT, he also pointed to a few positives about the feature. It could serve as a learning tool for new players and should also prevent collusion.
However, some players criticized the move because the fee serves as additional rake for the site. That hits home as Polk famously criticized Daniel Negreanu on numerous occasions for his defense of PokerStars’ removal of the SuperNova Elite rewards status and the site’s rake changes that soon followed.
The Canadian argued that even though the rake was increased, it could sometimes be a positive outcome for players.
As a result, Polk called Negreanu “a massive hypocrite” and “an embarrassment to the game.” He even wore a “More Rake is Better” t-shirt at the table against Negreanu during the Super High Roller Bowl. Polk’s trolling also included posting the same phrase on a billboard outside the Rio during the WSOP.
The feud resulted in a heads-up grudge match in 2021. Polk beat Negreanu for more than $1.2 million.
