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Tag: Chris Smitton

  • Deaf Poker Community Happy as Investigation Validates Champion Chris Smitton

    Deaf Poker Community Happy as Investigation Validates Champion Chris Smitton

    Deaf poker champion Chris Smitton will keep his title after proving that his hearing is certifiably impaired.

    Chris Smitton deaf poker champion
    Chris Smitton will remain Deaf Poker Australia champion after a full investigation by the DPA. (Image: Deaf Poker Australia)

    After being labelled a fraud by some members of the community, Smitton’s condition has been verified by Deaf Poker Australia (DPA).

    Responding quickly to pockets of discontent, the DPA conducted a full investigation. In a press release, the organization confirmed Smitton does have a certified level of hearing loss.

    “Mr. Smitton has been fully co-operating with the Board, providing us with documentation to confirm his hearing loss by way of an audiogram,” reads the Oct. 22 press release.

    In confirming his impairment, the latest Deaf Poker Australia Championship winner was also cleared of violating any local laws.

    Smitton Satisfies All Entry Conditions

    The $150 tournament was hosted by Crown Perth between Oct. 17 and 20. As a state and federally regulated gaming venue, Crown Perth has its own “house rules.”

    In situations where a conflict may arise, DPA rules are superseded both by Tournament Director Association (TDA) and house rules.

    “Under the rules, terms, and conditions stipulated by Crown Perth, which are regulated by state and federal law and thus, supersede DPA Tournament Rules (refer to DPA Rule 1.2 below), Mr. Smitton was entitled to participate,” the press release continues.

    In conclusion, the DPA has confirmed that Smitton’s win was valid, and he remains Deaf Poker Australia Champion 2019.

    While the issue has been resolved, the potential disconnect between DPA rules and local laws has provided food for thought.

    Although much of the backlash was the result of hearsay, some level of disparity between rule sets can always cause conflicts.

    Maintaining Integrity in Deaf Poker is Complicated

    For its part, the DPA has acknowledged this, and has vowed to improve what it described as a “very complex and layered” issue.

    “The Board would also like to thank the vast majority of people from both within and outside of the Deaf/HOH community, providing DPA with their ongoing support, feedback, and ideas for the future,” concluded the DPA press release.

    As a small but tight-knit community, hard of hearing (HOH) and deaf poker players need to maintain certain standards. Just as the Paralympics must preserve its integrity by ensuring all participants are suitably qualified, deaf poker organizations also have to self-govern.

    Even with that being true, the DPA has reaffirmed that abusive behavior will not be tolerated. After winning the Deaf Poker Australia Championship, Smitton was subjected to some less-than positive comments online.

    A number of players did remain supportive and, since the DPA’s investigation, many more have offered their congratulations.

    “I think that the people who wrote nasty comments and insults directed at him on this page should apologize. What I find interesting is that so many of these comments started with – what I was told was and I heard – and so on. Hopefully, everyone can move past this now and go back to enjoying the event,” Fayx Chambers wrote on Facebook.

    With the situation resolved and the community happy, it’s back to the business of enjoying poker regardless of who you are or what your physical condition is.

  • Chris Smitton Not Deaf Enough to be Deaf Poker Australia Champion?

    Chris Smitton Not Deaf Enough to be Deaf Poker Australia Champion?

    A deaf poker player from Australia has caused uproar after it emerged he may not be “deaf enough” to be called a champion.

    Chris Smitton deaf poker player
    Chris Smitton (right) has caused an uproar after winning a deaf poker event, despite being able to hear. (Image: Deaf Poker Australia)

    Following his win at the 2019 Deaf Poker Australia Championship, Chris Smitton has been branded a fraud by fellow participants who contend his disability isn’t severe enough to warrant a seat in DPA events.

    Players Break Silence After Smitton Wins

    After collecting 100 entries for the $150 Oct. 17 event, play proceeded as normal.

    As is customary in DPA events, players start by introducing themselves using sign language. According to those inside Crown Perth, Smitton simply pointed to a tattoo of a mute symbol by his right ear.

    When the final table rolled around on Oct. 20, Smitton emerged as the man to beat. Taking control in the latter stages, he eventually took out Mikey Wilkie to win the DPA Championship trophy and AU$3,300/US$2,260.

    After news of his victory went live, some members of the DPA community made their discontent clear. Posting comments on the organization’s Facebook page, certain people took offense to a winner who some believe is not deaf enough.

    “Congratulations to all the players except Chris Smitton,” wrote Damo Barrett.

    As well as attacking Smitton, players also questioned the DPA.

    “Thought the main event was for deaf and HOH (hard of hearing) only?” Andrew David Waterworth commented.

    Offering some balance, Brian C Mac urged DPA members to respect Smitton. He pointed out that no one from the tournament team stopped him from playing.

    “I think you need to apologize to Chris, as it’s not entirely his fault. He simply asked the question, can he enter because he was deaf in one ear and, yes, maybe the rules should have been explained,” Mac wrote on Oct. 21.

    Doubling down, Smitton told TheWest.com.au that he won the tournament “fair and square.” Moreover, he said he is profoundly deaf in his right ear, and slightly deaf in the other.

    Deaf Poker Australia Needs to Maintain Standards

    Despite Smitton’s claims, the DPA has pledged to investigate the situation. In lieu of its report, the organization has called for courtesy and respect.

    It does, however, want to ensure that the integrity of the deaf poker community is upheld.

    Although it might be considered a sub-community, deaf poker has been on the rise over the past decade. As well as events in Australia, other countries have played host to a number of deaf poker tournaments.

    In 2015, one of the community’s top players, Jonathan Cyril Collins, was sadly killed in a drug deal gone wrong. More recently, the Deaf Poker Tour has held events in Ohio, Florida, Maryland and even Italy.

    Given the reach of deaf poker, an investigation is necessary. Although Smitton’s win may be well deserved, there’s a clear need for deaf poker tournaments to maintain certain standards.

    Just as men playing in female events can make a mockery of the concept, the same is true in this situation. Therefore, the DPA is planning to engage with all parties and bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion.