Late on 25th June 2025, after slogging through multiple days and outlasting 11,995 entries, only Jesse Yaginuma and James Carroll remained in the $1,500 Millionaire Maker. On the line: roughly $1.25 million for the champion, plus an extra $1M ClubWPT Gold bonus for Jesse Yaginuma – who earned the Gold Pass via a nacho-eating contest! – if he won!
This meant that if Yaginuma won, he would take home an extra $1M on top of the championship money, whereas if Carroll won, he would take home the $1.25M. This bonus created a storm of suspicion when Yaginuma vanished a 9-to-1 chip deficit in a heads up.
What looked like nerves of steel quickly drew raised eyebrows: a string of all-in bets, instantaneous folds and mucks so swift they felt choreographed. Rumors quickly spread that Carroll was quietly “dumping” chips to his opponent, effectively scripting the ending before the final hand was even dealt.
From A Practical Perspective
It’s easy to see the temptation. With millions in guaranteed money hanging in the balance, both players stood to lock in life-changing scores. Here’s the thing: the difference in prizes wasn't big – roughly $250K. But with the additional bonus on Yaginuma, it’s easy to see why the players might cook up something behind the scenes.
Carroll and Yaginuma could have agreed to split the bonus money, which would mean a bigger payday for Carroll. Carroll wouldn’t need to face the roller-coaster swings of a high-stakes heads-up battle, and he’d still cash big. And Yaginuma, with his super short stack, would save himself the agony of elimination and snag that extra million-dollar bonus.
In an environment where pro players regularly hedge risk, a quiet heads-up agreement can look like smart bankroll management.
From the Moral Perspective
On the other hand, poker isn’t just about the chips in front of you; it’s built on the unspoken promise that every hand is played on the merits of skill, courage and a little bit of luck.
When two finalists cut a secret pact to trade chips, that promise shatters. Fans who’ve paid to watch expect an honest duel. Sponsors who back the event deserve an authentic spectacle.
What Is WSOP's Stand on the WSOP 2025 Chip Dumping Scandal?
The World Series of Poker saw the importance of poker integrity. On 30th June 2025, they announced there would be no official winner, no gold bracelet awarded—and the remaining prize pool would be split evenly between Yaginuma and Carroll.
“We have concluded that in order to uphold the integrity of the game and to uphold our official WSOP Tournament Rules, no winner will be recognized and no bracelet will be awarded for this year's tournament. The remaining prize pool will be split between the final two players," WSOP tweeted.
In their ruling, WSOP made it clear: any agreement to lose or transfer chips violates the tournament’s core rules, and preserving the game’s integrity outweighs awarding a tainted result.
At its best, poker is unscripted theater—every decision matters, every chip has a story. When collusion enters the picture, that theater goes dark. By stripping the title and dividing the pot, the WSOP sent a message: shortcuts to glory will never hold a candle to victories earned fairly at the felt.
But what do you think? With $1,000,000 extra at stake, and without hurting a third player, would you have done the same and made the deal with your fellow opponent or would you take a stand on the moral ground? Let us know!
Image Source: Pokernews
