Poker scandal: Player loses title for using math solver

Grosvenor Poker strips Adam Clack of 2025 Player of the Year title over math solver scandal

Grosvenor Poker has revoked the 2025 National Poker League (NPL) Player of the Year title from Adam Clack. The decision follows his admission of using a math solver during an online tournament. Clack had originally been awarded a £40,000 sponsored pro package for his achievement.

Clack was named NPL Player of the Year in early 2025 and received the £40,000 sponsorship. However, he later admitted to using a math solver—a tool that analyses optimal plays—during an online flight of Grosvenor's Behemoth tournament. While he claimed the software was not used in real-time to influence decisions, he acknowledged it was a mistake.

Grosvenor Poker suspended Clack from their online platform, citing clause 53 (previously clause 46) of the NPL Terms and Conditions. This rule requires players to remain eligible for both live and online play at Grosvenor Casinos to retain prizes. Clack's suspension stemmed from a 2023 ban imposed by Playtech's iPoker network, which Grosvenor enforces in live events due to multi-accounting allegations.

The ban does not prevent Clack from playing live at Grosvenor Casinos. But his online suspension made him ineligible for the sponsorship. Grosvenor has offered alternatives, such as entry into private tournaments or cash games at their venues. They also suggested he play at non-affiliated poker rooms like Genting or Hippodrome, which have no ties to iPoker.

Clack thanked his supporters and maintained that the math solver was never used to cheat. He pointed to his in-game decisions as proof that the software did not affect his play.

The revocation of Clack's title and sponsorship follows Grosvenor's enforcement of network bans. His admission of using a math solver led to the loss of his £40,000 prize. He remains free to play live at Grosvenor Casinos but cannot compete in official tournaments tied to the iPoker network.