PokerNews Receive Criticism For Galfond Op-Ed But is it Justifiable?

After several people criticise PokerNews for allowing Phil Galfond to use their platform to out Samuel Touil as a cheat, Lee Davy airs his view on whether those allegations are justified?

PokerNews writers are learning that you can’t please everyone. Often criticised for a product that needs to tow the affiliate party line, they are now getting pelters for trying to be more subjective.

The site recently gave Phil Galfond a platform to out Samuel Touil as a thief. The synopsized version: Galfond loaned Touil $250,000 to keep him in a cash game; Touil lost the lot. So far he has only returned $50,000 and insists that’s the only transaction that will happen.

A few things came to mind when I read it. The first was the surprise. It read like a tabloid piece – not PokerNews’ style. The second was a recognition of a job well done. I go to PokerNews for fact based news. Reading an article on a taboo subject was refreshing. The final thought was why did Galfond use PokerNews as a platform when he has his own?