World Series of Poker 2006 champion Jamie Gold has emerged triumphant after WSOP officials have announced the player will not face penalties for breaking the rules of the tournament.
Gold admitted to two infringements of the 2006 rules after he took the pot, which brought his total winnings for the tour in excess of $12 million, the biggest poker win in history.
The newly crowned champion said in the New York Times that he had told opponent Lee Kort that he had a top pair and top kicker in a hand after Kort had bet. Gold also flashed another player one of his cards.
Gold said in the interview: "I wasn't thinking, 'Wow, I’m going to bend the rules.' I was just so caught up in the excitement of what was happening and I kind of just lost myself and I regret doing that."
After reviewing video footage of the incidents and speaking to Gold, the WSOP judged that the infractions were caused only by exuberance and would not penalise the player retroactively.
Jeffery Pollack, WSOP commissioner said: "Not only were we impressed with Jamie's candour and contrition, but we also recognised that tournament officials didn't witness the incidents or take appropriate action at the time of the rules infractions.
"We share culpability in this case and are satisfied that the actions in question were inadvertent mistakes. We look forward to Jamie's participation in the 2007 WSOP."
He added: "I do want to stress, however, that we do not condone any violations of the rules and will make every effort to enforce them in every WSOP event."
World Series of Poker 2006 champion Jamie Gold has emerged triumphant after WSOP officials have announced the player will not face penalties for breaking the rules of the tournament.