Nacho Barbero Apologizes For Comments That Led To ACR DismissalIn A Statement, Barbero Claims He Didn't Realize Discussion Was About Game Integrity, Defends Cheating Accusations |
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After online poker room ACR parted ways with Jose “Nacho” Barbero earlier this week, the poker pro released a statement on Wednesday apologizing for actions that led to the end of his run as an ambassador for the site.
Barbero’s dismissal came after he was caught on a live stream saying that the site wasn’t even trying to stop cheating. He was contrite in his comments and said he should have given more thought to representing the brand while playing.
“I want to start off by apologizing to ACR, I completely forgot my role as an ambassador and every time I make an appearance I am not only representing myself but a brand that I value and am eternally grateful for the infinite amount of opportunities I have been given by them throughout this journey,” he noted in a statement released on Twitter.
At the time of the comment, Barbero noted that he hadn’t realized the discussion was about game integrity, which he attributed to a lack of attention on his part. He added that he “Did not mean by any means that ACR is not a safe site to play at. If I did not believe in the integrity of the site or the people working there I would not have ever taken any part in it.”
In February, the Argentinian posted a screenshot on Instagram that showed poker tool GTO Wizard running in the background while he was playing tournaments on ACR. Barbero said the software was up from a previous coaching session.
Using real-time assistance is against the terms of service for most online poker sites. He denied using RTA while playing, and fellow high-stakes player Patrick Leonard released his own findings based on an analysis of over 1,000 hands. Leonard’s conclusion backed up Barbero’s claim that he wasn’t using the software.
The statement released on Wednesday included a complete denial that he engaged in anything unethical while playing and pointed to Leonard’s assessment of the situation.
“To make things clear I have never cheated or used any RTA software or anything alike to gain an unlawful advantage at the tables,” he said. “I think having Pads as an arbiter for the situation would be more than enough to prove it. I had a lesson with some horses (players he backed) before playing and the tab was left open. I will not elaborate on this subject because no matter what I say, angry people on the Internet will do their thing, but to those who know me, have spent time with me, those whose opinions matter deserve my time to address it.”
Barbero first joined ACR as an ambassador in 2023 and has more than $23 million in poker tournament winnings. He seemed despondent to see the relationship with the site now coming to an end. However, he continued to defend himself against allegations of cheating.
“These are sad times for me, everything I try to bring to the table is fun and entertainment and it sucks being put as an example for cheating when I am probably one of the most distant individuals of that,” he notes, “especially in a voracious environment as online poker … with all the things that do happen and no one bats an eye about.”
Photo courtesy of PokerGO/Antonio Abrego
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