Martin Kabrhel Divides Poker Again: Clash with Sam Soverel Revives Old Questions About RFID Cards

It didn't take long for Martin Kabrhel to find himself back at the center of discussions in the poker world. Not because he's lacking results, table talk, or camera attention. Quite the opposite. The Czech player, who has become one of the most polarizing figures in live poker in recent years, is once again at the heart of a debate involving entertainment, psychology, old accusations, and the question of where the line is drawn between fun and disruptive behavior.

A new video analyzes a situation from the WSOP feature table, where Sam Soverel refused to scan his cards via RFID when Kabrhel was in the hand. At feature tables, it's standard for players to present their hole cards to the scanner so that graphics can be shown to viewers. However, Soverel implied that if someone linked with past suspicions is at the table, he doesn't want his cards to be available during the hand. He didn’t outright accuse Kabrhel of cheating, but the suggestions were unmistakable.

Old Shadows Return to WSOP

The story has strong roots in 2023 when Kabrhel finished third in the $250,000 Super High Roller WSOP, winning nearly $2.3 million. Yet, his success was overshadowed by discussions about his behavior at the table. Andrew Robl publicly accused him of marking cards, and other high-stakes players including Chance Kornuth, Justin Bonomo, and Dan Smith called for strict measures, leading to a WSOP investigation.

It's important to remember that according to the video, WSOP found no evidence of cheating at the time. Thus, the debate gradually shifted. Kabrhel appeared in an interview with Doug Polk, where he unequivocally denied ever cheating in poker. He admitted to having an unusual style, touching cards, chips, or his face in odd ways, and acknowledged how he’s perceived. However, he rejected the term “cheater” as a boundary that significantly harms his personal and professional life.

This is why the new situation with Sam Soverel is sensitive. It returns to a topic that part of the poker community considered closed, while others evidently haven't let go. Kabrhel is once more facing not just a rival at the table but a reputation that's pursued him since the greatest controversy of his career.

The technical aspect of the case is intriguing. At WSOP feature tables, hole cards are scanned via RFID for viewers to see during broadcasts. Soverel's concern was based on the potential for unauthorized access to the system, which could theoretically provide real-time card information.

The floor decided that players must scan their cards. However, Soverel insisted on scanning only after the hand, not during. Interestingly, this position was supported at the table by players like Cary Katz and Alex Foxen. Their argument wasn't against scanning; rather, it was reasonable to allow scanning post-hand to avoid any doubts.

Kabrhel perceived this as special treatment and requested the floor to make Soverel adhere to the same procedure as everyone else. The result was a typical feature table scene where a technical rule turns into a psychological conflict. At one moment it’s about broadcast protocol, the next about trust, reputation, and whether a player has the right to alter standard procedures just because a specific opponent makes them uncomfortable.

From Controversial Figure to Poker Antihero

The most interesting part of this whole saga is that Kabrhel's position in the poker community has shifted significantly over the past two years. After 2023, many players found him an unwelcome figure. His table behavior was labeled annoying, manipulative, and in some eyes even suspicious. However, over time, he has also become a source of entertainment.

Phrases like “not like that” or “Casino Royale” have become staples of WSOP culture. In 2025, he gained considerable popularity, ranking high on the Player of the Year leaderboard, and won his fifth bracelet at WSOP Europe. Even players who were once very critical of him now admit they’ve changed their view. Not because they suddenly love everything he does at the table, but because they’ve started to see him as a unique part of the high-stakes show.

Chance Kornuth, in the video, mentions that two years ago his view of Kabrhel was different because he feared possible cheating. However, as that suspicion faded, he started to perceive Kabrhel more as a player trying to get inside his opponents' heads. Alex Foxen goes further, stating that he enjoys seeing Kabrhel at the table because he believes Kabrhel distracts other players, indirectly raising Foxen’s EV.

That's the Kabrhel paradox. To some, he’s an entertaining antihero. To others, an unpleasant opponent. For some, still someone to be cautious around. And this is why every new controversy surrounding him becomes more than just an ordinary table dispute.

Kabrhel Remains a Player Poker Can't Quite Define

Today, Martin Kabrhel is one of the most peculiar figures in poker. He has results, bracelets, fans, his catchphrases, and the ability to be the center of attention even in a room full of world-class high rollers. Simultaneously, he carries a history of accusations, uncomfortable moments, conflicts, and players who either distrust him or don't want him at the table.

Thus, Martin has become an even larger paradox over time. A player watched precisely because you never know if the outcome will be brilliant, absurd commentary, a floor call, conflict, or another debate on what still constitutes part of the game.

Sources – YouTube, X, WSOP, PokerNews, poker.org