The Rail This Week

Lifting the paywall on Anuj’s take on the Ren “Tony” Lin cheating scandal.

Published in October 2025 on Poker Industry PRO, Anuj reported that Tony Lin (who, at the time, was a GGPoker ambassador) and player RealOA were at the centre of controversy.

The pair were caught in a real-time coaching scandal during the GGMillion$ final.

After evidence emerged on social media, including Lin’s own apology, GGPoker wasted no time: RealOA was banned and Lin was indefinitely suspended (although, in reality, this wouldn’t last long).

The operator refunded nearly $350,000 to impacted players, with Lin himself covering almost $100,000 out of pocket to make things right.

Before the official word was out, Lin was also shown the door at the WSOP Super Circuit Cyprus Main Event. However, he was seen at WSOP Paradise, which took place in the Bahamas back in December of last year.

In a further twist, Lin is now signed to WPT Global as an ambassador for the brand.

This will certainly be David Lappin’s reaction at Lin getting signed to WPT Global.

David Lappin has been an outspoken critic of Ren Lin for quite some time now. It stems from Lin being banned and then reinstated at the WSOP and GGPoker tables, despite being a central character in a ghosting controversy that took place on their site.

Now Lin has been signed on as the latest WPT Global ambassador. And guess who else represents the same brand?

Yep, you guessed it. None other than Lappin himself.

Someone grab the popcorn.

So as it turns out WPT Global has signed Ren “Tony” Lin after all.

After a strange 24 hours of deleted posts and memes, WPT Global has confirmed it has signed Lin as a brand ambassador despite his reputation.

Phil Galfond talks Hellmuth, Canada, and the future of BetRivers.

Phil Galfond joined Chad Holloway and Keith Becker for the first episode of BetRivers’ Table Talk podcast, where the trio covered a little bit of everything in the poker world. Galfond discussed his relationship with Phil Hellmuth, calling Hellmuth “a beast” when it comes to bracelet counts. The conversation also touched on BetRivers’ ambitions in the Canadian market and how players can get involved in the BetRivers community.

Later in the episode, Galfond teased a major online tournament series and the curiously named GobbleKnocker Series. For those wondering what to expect from BetRivers and Galfond in 2026, the podcast offers a few hints, though nothing too concrete.

$24,000: gone in the time it takes to hit 'refresh’.

Nothing like tuning in for a livestream just to see someone lose a five-figure pot to a soul-crushing card. According to Bally Poker Live, Hapa might want to avoid rivers for a while.

Dan 'Jungleman’ Cates has never backed down from a challenge at the poker table, and now he’s taking that attitude into the ring.

Later this month, Cates will face off against 'Elf’, a content creator and recreational poker player, in a kickboxing match sanctioned by the International Kickboxing Federation. The bout will take place at the Beverly Hills Fight Club.

Both fighters agreed to the match believing the other had never fought before.

'This will be a bloodbath’

Still, Jungleman’s fitness is well-known among poker fans, though some, like Rob Kuhn, believe Elf is the 'stone lock of the century’ to win.

The revolution will be extended. Again.

BetRivers Poker has decided that the Rakeback Revolution is still alive and kicking.

The promotion, which boosts iRush Rewards points for active players, has been extended through the end of March.

Earning at least $5 in rake a week qualifies players for up to 250% extra bonus points. These can be spent in the iRush Bonus Store, on things like cash bonuses.

The promo is only available in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia.

Phil Hellmuth is refusing to slow down in 2026, according to PokerNews.

After 2025 was called his worst year since 2009, Hellmuth has already pulled off two final table appearances and three cashes, all before most of us have taken down our holiday decorations.

The Poker Hall of Famer secured a fourth and fifth place, plus a min-cash in the PGT Last Chance Series, almost matching his full 2025 earnings before the first month of the year is out. PokerNews notes he even benefited from some timely help to sneak into the money:

Maybe 2026 is shaping up to be the comeback year for the 'Poker Brat.’

Rules are rules, until they are not.

At the WSOP-C Calgary, two friends found themselves heads-up in the CAD$600 No Limit/PLO mix event. Mehmet Siginc and Nicholas Lee, long-time poker pals, decided to make things interesting. Instead of playing for first and second place payouts, they agreed to a private, winner-takes-all deal for the full CAD$40,545.

Officially, WSOP does not allow deals like this. The payouts on the WSOP+ app still show Lee as runner-up, but Siginc told PokerNews it was a “Gentleman’s agreement.”

“No guts no glory,” Siginc said, as he took down his second WSOP-C title.

This story highlights the ongoing debate about deal-making at the WSOP.

As PokerStrategy notes, strict rules just mean the real action happens in the shadows, leaving the organizers out of the loop.

High stakes, higher blood pressure.

Brad Owen takes us through a tense high stakes session where the action heats up quickly. The highlight: a massive 5-bet all-in preflop with pocket kings.

According to Brad, it’s one of those spots where you just have to get it in, even if the sweat is real.

Throughout the hand, Brad talks through his thought process, sharing why he couldn’t find a fold and how the table dynamics played into his decision.

The video gives a good look at how tough these spots can be, even for experienced players.

Netflix bets on Vegas, but will poker get a seat?

Las Vegas is getting the Netflix treatment, and this time the poker world might actually get more than a cameo.

With Maria Konnikova and the Rounders crew in the writers’ room, expect some real cards on the table, not just chips flying around for cinematic effect.

Even Scorsese’s involved, so the odds are good for something worth watching.

Looks like someone forgot to sync the group chat.

Ok, there’s a bit of drama going on.

WPT Global announced Ren “Tony” Lin as an ambassador.

Lin is the former GGPoker ambassador who was indefinitely banned by GG/WSOP following a ghosting controversy.

Despite the ban, he was later spotted playing at WSOP Paradise, even as his name quietly disappeared from GGPoker.

Last night, WPT Global makes him an ambassador.

Shortly after, the WPT main account tweets that it does not endorse or control WPT Global’s ambassadors.

Minutes later, WPT Global deletes the announcement.

Then ClubWPT Gold posted a tweet simply saying “BANNED”, featuring Ren Lin’s image, seemingly signaling the decision had been reversed.🍿