In what can only be described as a bizarre turn of events at the 2021 World Series of Poker (WSOP), all-in player Joe Smith shocked fellow competitors and spectators alike when he abruptly bolted for the bathroom in the middle of a hand.
The incident occurred during a high-stakes No-Limit Texas Hold’em tournament at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Smith, a seasoned poker player known for his aggressive playing style, found himself with a strong hand and decided to go all-in. However, just as his chips hit the felt, he suddenly jumped out of his seat and sprinted towards the restroom.
Confusion and disbelief rippled through the room as Smith’s opponents and the dealer struggled to make sense of what was happening. Some onlookers speculated that he had suddenly fallen ill or was experiencing a medical emergency. Others wondered if it was some sort of elaborate bluff or distraction tactic.
After a tense few minutes, Smith emerged from the bathroom looking slightly flustered but determined. He returned to the table, seemingly unperturbed by the interruption, and calmly resumed play as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.
When asked about the bathroom bolt during a break in the action, Smith offered a rather nonchalant explanation. “I had a sudden urge and didn’t want to miss out on the action,” he said with a shrug. “Sometimes you gotta go when you gotta go.”
Despite the unconventional move, Smith’s gamble paid off as he ultimately emerged victorious in the hand, much to the chagrin of his opponents. Some players grumbled about the unfair advantage of the unexpected bathroom break, while others praised Smith for his audacity and fearlessness.
As news of the bathroom bolt spread throughout the poker community, Smith’s unconventional move became the talk of the tournament. Memes and jokes flooded social media, with some dubbing him “the bathroom bandit” and others hailing him as a pioneer of a new poker strategy.
While the incident may have been unprecedented, it certainly added an element of excitement and unpredictability to an already intense and competitive event. Smith’s bold move will undoubtedly go down in WSOP history as one of the most memorable moments in the prestigious tournament’s storied past.
