ACR Poker has split ways with one of its most prominent ambassadors.
ACR CEO Charles Nagy released a statement Monday announcing that Jose ‘Nacho’ Barbero would no longer represent the online poker site. Nagy’s decision ended a two-year relationship between the site and the high-stakes poker pro.
The move comes less than a week after Barbero was caught on a livestream saying he didn’t think the site was trying to stop cheating on their site.
“At ACR Poker, we hold our team members to the highest standards of integrity and commitment,” said Nagy in a tweet. “Recent comments by team pro Nacho Barbero regarding the use of GTO Wizard have raised serious concerns about his understanding of our security measures and his role as an ambassador.”
Statement from Phil Nagy, CEO of ACR Poker.
At ACR Poker, we hold our team members to the highest standards of integrity and commitment. Recent comments by team pro Nacho Barbero regarding the use of GTO Wizard have raised serious concerns about his understanding of our…
— ACR Poker (@ACR_POKER) April 21, 2025
In February, the Argentinian was in hot water after he posted a picture of his online poker tournaments on Instagram. However, the photo background showed a hand matrix from GTO Wizard software was open during play.
Using a solver during play would be considered cheating and against the site’s terms of service. Barbero claimed he wasn’t solving hands in real time, and the hands were still visible on the screen from a previous coaching session.
During the social media backlash, ACR released a statement saying they conducted an internal investigation and found no evidence of foul play.
Two months later, Barbero was at the featured table of a U.S. Poker Open event when Isaac Haxton brought up the situation to Barbero.
“I’m surprised ACR didn’t just catch it automatically, to be honest,” said Haxton. “You can just have GTO Wizard on your computer while you’re playing, and ACR doesn’t even know. Are they even trying?”
“I don’t think they’re trying,” responded Barbero.
Ike: I’m surprised @ACR_POKER didn’t just like catch it automatically to be honest
Nacho: laughs
Ike : you can just have GTO Wizard open on your computer while playing? Are they even trying?
Nacho: I don’t think they’re trying.
Ayiyiyi pic.twitter.com/VhseASWQO6
— Conrad Simpson (@conrads411) April 17, 2025
In an interview with Poker.org last month, 2003 World Series of Poker main event champion and ACR ambassador Chris Moneymaker said he would’ve fired Barbero after the social media post. But Moneymaker revealed that Nagy doesn’t like to fire people if its avoidable.
“When he fires somebody, he gets really sick. It really hurts him,” said Moneymaker.
Barbero was arguably ACR’s most successful team pro. With tournament scores dating back two decades, he racked up more than $23.1 million in career tournament cashes and regularly plays the highest stakes.
In April alone, Barbero cashed for $597,900, including two runner-up finishes at the USPO.
Photo – PokerGO/Antonio Abrego
