Will Kassouf is a British poker player and former solicitor with over $2 million in live tournament earnings according to The Hendon Mob. Kassouf is one of modern poker’s most polarizing figures.
He is known for his signature “speech play”, a strategy involving relentless table talk aimed at disrupting and gaining reads on opponents.
"By speaking to [opponents] and engaging in conversation I'm picking up a lot more information than these so-called hooded zombies who just sit there for 12 hours a day and say nothing," Kassouf told PokerNews in 2016.
His antics divided opinion among players and fans, but his brash, talkative style made him a household name in the poker community.
Will Kassouf Poker Background
Born on December 19, 1981, in London, Kassouf began his professional life as a solicitor before leaving the legal profession in 2013 to pursue poker full-time.
He initially made his mark grinding low-stakes tournaments and cash games at the Victoria Casino in London, with his first major cash coming in 2009 when he finished sixth at the Irish Poker Open, earning over $130,000.
Will Kassouf in the 2016 WSOP Main Event
Kassouf rose to international prominence during the 2016 WSOP Main Event,
While Kassouf would eventually bust in 17th place for $338,288 after running pocket kings into the pocket aces of Griffin Benger in a heated confrontation. However, he initially shot to prominence after a hand involving Stacy Matuson.
On a final board of 5♦3♥2♣8♥10♠ Kassouf moved all in to put Matuson at risk. While Matuson tanked, Kassouf went into his table talk routine.
“You don't want to be eliminated in front of the whole camera crew, do you?” he asked. “Lay it down. Don't go broke this hand.”
Kassouf continued to speak at Matuson, even when the tournament director threatened Kassouf with a penalty if he continued. Eventually, Matuson folded pocket queens face-up, with Kassouf tabling 9♥6♣ and declaring "Nine-high like a boss."
Will Kassouf in the 2025 WSOP Main Event
In 2025, Kassouf was once again at the center of controversy at the WSOP.
After receiving multiple penalties and shot clocks for excessive tanking, verbal abuse, and unsportsmanlike conduct during the 2025 WSOP Main Event, he was eventually eliminated in 33rd place. He placed the blame with Americans, saying that "Americans can't take it" when discussing his behaviour with WSOP Senior Vice President Jack Effel.
His final outburst, which included a hostile warning to table mates and tournament staff alike, resulted in his expulsion and a ban from the remainder of the series.
Will Kassouf Poker Achievements
Away from the WSOP and Las Vegas, Kassouf has found success at the poker tables.
The year of his breakout run in the Main Event, Kassouf won the EPT Prague €10,300 High Roller for €532,500. He also took down the Irish Poker Masters Online Main Event in 2020 for €215,000.
Then, in 2022, he won the PokerStars UKIPT Dublin High Roller for €33,410.
Will Kassouf Top Five Poker Cashes
| Date | Event | Place | Payout (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec-16 | €10,300 EPT Prague High Roller | 1st | $555,619 |
| Jul-16 | $10,000 WSOP Main Event | 17th | $338,288 |
| Jul-26 | $10,000 WSOP Main Event | 33rd | $300,000 |
| Apr-09 | €3,500 Irish Open Main Event | 6th | $133,372 |
| Sep-16 | £550 DTD Deepstack | 2nd | $39,018 |
Will Kassouf Controversies
In 2018, an incident at a roulette table led to the termination of Kassouf's sponsorship deal with British casino chain Grosvenor and a lifetime ban from their properties. This was after he was caught palming £100 chips while intoxicated at a roulette table.
Another incident occurred at the 2023 Irish Open, where he was accused of walking away from a cash game without settling his chip debt after losing a large pot. Kassouf denied any wrongdoing, claiming the issue had been resolved and that he was being unfairly targeted.
