Poker's Reveal Hands Feature Triggers Fierce Backlash from Pros
A new poker feature called Reveal Hands has sparked outrage across the community. The tool lets players pay to see opponents' hole cards after a hand ends. Critics, including top professionals, have labelled it unethical and exploitative.
The feature was rolled out on a major poker site, allowing users to view all players' hidden cards—for a price. The cost is set at three times the big blind, meaning a £5 blind game would charge £15 per reveal.
High-profile players quickly condemned the move. Poker Hall of Famer Brian Rast called it *one of the worst ideas* in poker history. Greg Himmelbrand, another pro, described it as *the single worst feature* he had ever encountered. Others argued that if such a function existed, the revenue should go to the exposed players—not the site. Comparisons to unethical practices followed. High-stakes player Alec *Traheho* Torelli likened it to a live dealer taking bribes. Shaun Deeb, the 2025 WSOP Player of the Year, criticised both the marketing and the long-term damage it could cause. Matt Berkey, a member of the PokerOrg Player Advisory Board, went further, calling the feature *actually sick* and a *stupid tax* on players. The backlash has been swift, with many questioning the integrity of a site willing to profit from revealing private hand information.
The controversy shows no signs of fading. Players continue to demand the feature's removal, citing fairness and trust concerns. For now, the site has not announced any changes to the policy.
