Australian Poker Pro Chris Skinner Caught Cheating, Sparks Controversy

Incident at New Year’s Poker Tournament

Chris Skinner, a well-known Australian poker professional, was recently exposed for cheating during a small-scale poker event called Poker With Fred, held on New Year’s. The tournament featured a modest buy-in of AUD $125, roughly equivalent to $85 USD, and was under video surveillance.

Cheating Caught on Camera

During the event, Skinner was recorded adding chips to his stack without permission, an act that quickly circulated on social media and drew widespread condemnation from the poker community. Skinner promptly acknowledged his wrongdoing, admitting to the illicit move without attempting to justify it.

Admission and Apology

In a public statement, Skinner said, “I cheated. 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 expressed deep regret for violating the trust of his peers and damaging his reputation within the poker world. As a consequence, he announced that he will be taking a hiatus from poker to reflect on his actions.

Repercussions and Community Reaction

The fallout was not limited to criticism alone. Several poker organizations, including the Southern Poker Tour and the host of Poker With Fred, Fred Baybon, have banned Skinner from their events. This has raised broader questions about the long-term integrity of Skinner’s career and the potential for a pattern of cheating.

Concerns Over Past Winnings

Skinner has accumulated over $312,000 in live poker tournament earnings, with his largest single cash prize totaling $32,094. Given this record from various events primarily in Australia, some have wondered whether his misconduct was an isolated incident or part of a more extensive history of dishonest behavior.

Ongoing Discussions in the Poker Community

The Southern Poker Tour has clarified that some chip movements during events were handled by their staff and not by Skinner himself, a point raised in debates following another player’s comments. Online commentary reflects a cynical view, with some users commenting that cheaters often only regret being caught rather than the act itself.