Darvin Moon’s WSOP Conspiracy Theory

WSOP Main Event Runner-up Darvin Moon

Was there something sneaky going on at the final table of the World Series of Poker Main Event? The runner-up in that event seems to think so. Darvin Moon just did an interview where he not only hinted at some shenanigans, but in doing so also offered an explanation for a hand that had people talking after the event.

Let’s go back to November, during a showdown between Darvin Moon and Steven Begleiter at the final table. Moon had KQ, while Begleiter was holding AsQs. After some back and forth betting, initiated by Moon by the way, the flop came down 3-4-2 with two spades. Begleiter was a big favorite at that point, but that didn’t stop Moon re-raising to $15 million. Begleiter called in, pushing only an additional $6 million into the pot. Moon folded, which wasn’t such a bad play at that point. But when Moon had a quick huddle with his wife after the hand, he lied to her and told her he had a pair of queens and had put Begleiter on AKs. The lie seemed like an odd move, given that the whole thing was going to be on TV.

But in yesterday’s interview, Moon explained that his lie to his wife was actually a strategic move. According to him, he believed that people backstage were listening in on his private conversation with his wife, via his live microphone, and were feeding that information to people in the gallery, who were then using that info to coach the other players at the final table.

So, does Moon really believe this conspiracy theory of some behind-the-scenes sneakiness? Or was the whole thing just an elaborate way of covering up the fact that he had just lied to his wife? Only Moon knows for sure.