A prominent Australian poker professional has been publicly disgraced and banned after confessing to a serious act of cheating during a tournament. Chris Skinner, a well-known figure with nearly $500,000 in career earnings, was caught on camera smuggling extra chips into a high-stakes game.
The New Year's Eve Downfall
The incident that ended Skinner's career unfolded at a New Year's Eve tournament hosted by 'Poker With Fred' at The Grand Central Hotel in Cobram, located on the border between Victoria and New South Wales. Skinner, who hails from Werribee in Melbourne's west, was a brand ambassador for the Southern Poker Tour (SPT) and was known for transporting poker equipment across Victoria.
Organiser Fred Braybon became suspicious after noticing an unusual number of chips on a table. A review of the venue's security footage provided damning evidence. "A check of the security camera showed us a player adding several chips to their stack from their pocket," Braybon stated. Despite being confronted with the video proof, Skinner initially denied any wrongdoing.
Community Outrage and Career Consequences
The revelation has sent shockwaves through Australia's close-knit poker community, with many now questioning the legitimacy of Skinner's past successes. According to The Hendon Mob, his live tournament winnings total US$312,270 (approximately AU$466,000), placing him 375th on Australia's all-time money list.
Fellow player Asti Savage voiced the suspicions now plaguing the circuit, highlighting Skinner's role in transporting chips. "Did he tamper with those chips too? Adding a few extra to his stack in order to claim the ultimate prize? We'll never know, but we'll definitely always wonder!" she posted on social media.
In response, the Southern Poker Tour acted swiftly, issuing an indefinite ban and terminating his ambassador role. "We were deeply shocked and extremely disappointed," an SPT statement read, emphasising its commitment to fair play. The organisation also moved to reassure players about its security, noting that chips are now only handled by top staff and stored securely.
A Public Apology and Fallout
Faced with incontrovertible evidence, Skinner issued a full public confession on social media. "I cheated. I brought chips into play that I had no right to bring into the game. No matter the amount or the result, it was wrong. There is no excuse for it," he wrote.
He apologised to fellow players, the local poker community, and tournament host Fred Braybon, expressing deep shame for betraying their trust. "Poker, especially local poker, has been part of my life for a long time... Knowing I've let that community down is something I regret deeply," Skinner said. He announced he would step away from the game for several months to "take a good hard look at himself."
Adding a further twist to the scandal, Skinner's partner, herself an elite player with over US$137,000 in winnings, went on to win the very tournament he cheated in. While some have offered Skinner messages of support, a significant portion of the community is calling for a lifetime ban. Victoria Police confirmed they have not received any official reports regarding the incident.
