Martin Kabrhel in First Controversy of 2025 WSOP

Three-time WSOP bracelet winner Martin Kabrhel has been penalised for excessive time-wasting. The Czech pro has seen his shot clock reduced from 30 seconds down to just 10 as his tablemates grew tired of his antics.

Martin Kabrhel (courtesy of WSOP) Kabrhel is a top 5 disliked figure in the game for his generally bad behaviour, including time-wasting, excessive speech play, angleshooting and alleged cheating.

Today he was running deep in Event#5: $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha when he fell afoul of the officials. According to those on the spot, Kabrhel had the clock called on him at least 10 times in the first two hours of play.

After getting the clock called on him more than 10 times since the Day 2 began, the tournament director has informed Martin Kabrhel that his clock has been reduced to 10 seconds. #WSOP2025pic.twitter.com/GmQx14Jz3U

— WSOP – World Series of Poker (@WSOP) May 31, 2025 Kabrhel came into the final day as joint chip-leader of the remaining 11 players chasing the bracelet and $620,696 top prize. However, after 2103 Main Event champ Ryan Riess fell, Kabrhel – now on the final table soft bubble – showed he was in no hurry.

His decision to take excessive time over every single decision is a calculated move to get under his opponents’ skin, many believe.

“I think everything he does is calculated,” Aaron Mermelstein told reporters, adding: “He’s trying to get to the final table. I think everything he does, there’s a reason for it.”

Poker’s Most Toxic Player?

It’s far from the first time that Kabrhel has upset his fellow players, the 2023 WSOP seeing Dan “Cowboy” Smith incensed at the Czech pro’s behaviour.

Dan Smith (@DanSmithHolla) had some choice words for Martin Kabrhel (@martinkabrhell) after his elimination from the $250,000 Super High Roller Bowl. 📺 – Watch live here: https://t.co/InAL0tkRzVpic.twitter.com/qoNU9e8qnm

— PokerGO (@PokerGO) June 19, 2023 Claiming that Kabrhel “should be banned”, Smith stated: “Martin’s antics at the table are worse than anyone that I’ve played with… playing with him is unbelievably unpleasant. He’s rude, he takes the full thirty seconds every time…”

The fallout from this incident led Kabrhel to threaten legal action against Smith and others for accusations of cheating.

“Nobody Worse” – Negreanu

The previous year, Daniel Negreanu had labelled Kabrhel alongside poker cheat Jake Schindler in the “I’m leaving the table category” of WSOP personalities.

“This one is easy,” stated DNegs. “I’m leaving the table and banning him from the premises! Nobody worse to have at your table!”

Kabrhel topped our own VIP grinders ‘Most Toxic Players of 2023’ list: he came out ahead of Luke Vrabel, Justin Bonomo, Dan Smith and, remarkably, edged William Kassouf for top spot.

Just last month, more accusations surfaced about Kabrhel and one of his ‘horses’ allegedly colluding in a highstakes PLO tournament in Tallinn, Estonia.

The accuser took to the 2plus2 forum to reveal some dubious hand histories and behaviour of Kabrhel and fellow Czech player, Zdenek Zizka.

Although the five hand histories offered are far from conclusive, Kabrhel’s past indiscretions are unlikely to see him given the benefit of the doubt.

For now, back in the WSOP, he is living off a 10 second clock for every decision. Whether that lasts until the end of the event remains to be seen, but it seems that even this early in the WSOP schedule, Kabrhel’s card is marked!