A prominent Australian poker professional has seen his reputation shattered after confessing to a brazen act of cheating during a high-stakes tournament. Chris Skinner, a well-known figure with nearly half a million dollars in career earnings, was caught on camera smuggling extra chips into a game, leading to his immediate disgrace and an indefinite ban.
The New Year's Eve Downfall
The dramatic incident unfolded at a tournament hosted by 'Poker With Fred' at The Grand Central Hotel in Cobram, located on the border between Victoria and New South Wales. Skinner, who hails from Werribee in Melbourne's west, was a former brand ambassador for the Southern Poker Tour (SPT) and was known for transporting poker equipment across Victoria.
Organiser Fred Braybon became suspicious after noticing an unusual number of chips on a table. A review of security footage conclusively showed Skinner adding several chips to his stack from his pocket, an act also witnessed by a player from another table. Despite being confronted with the video evidence, Skinner initially denied any wrongdoing.
Community Outrage and Career Unravelling
The scandal has sent shockwaves through Australia's close-knit poker community, with many now casting doubt on Skinner's previous successes. According to The Hendon Mob, his live poker earnings total US$312,270 (approximately AU$466,000), placing him 375th on Australia's all-time money list.
Fellow poker champion Asti Savage voiced the suspicions of many on social media, questioning whether Skinner had tampered with chips during other tournaments he was involved in transporting. "Did he add a few extra to his stack to claim the ultimate prize? We'll never know, but we'll definitely always wonder!" Savage wrote.
In a bitter twist, Skinner's partner, herself an elite player with over US$137,000 in winnings, went on to win the very tournament he was caught cheating in.
Consequences and Contrition
The fallout was swift and severe. The Southern Poker Tour issued a statement expressing deep shock and disappointment, banning Skinner indefinitely from all events and terminating his role as ambassador. The SPT emphasised its commitment to fair play and detailed its strict chip security protocols, noting that Skinner had only been involved in transporting tables during the company's early years.
Facing overwhelming evidence, Skinner issued a public apology on social media. "I cheated," he stated. "I brought chips into play that I had no right to bring into the game. No matter the amount or the result, it was wrong. There is no excuse for it." He apologised to fellow players, the local poker community, and Fred Braybon, expressing deep shame and regret for betraying their trust.
Skinner announced he would step away from poker for "several months" to "take a good hard look at himself." While some offered messages of support, many within the community are calling for a lifetime ban. Organiser Fred Braybon said the breach reinforced his commitment to integrity, stating, "This saddened me, made me angry, but most importantly, reinforced my desire to run tournaments that are a level playing field for all." A Victoria Police spokesman confirmed they had not received any reports regarding the incident.
