After Brian Hastings took Isildur1 for $4 million on Full Tilt Poker last week to the congratulations of many fans, he mentioned to ESPN.com’s Gary Wise that he owed a lot of credit to Townsend who had analyzed a database of heads-up games and figured out the Swede’s game completely. When Full Tilt’s staff began exploring the situation, Townsend claimed full responsibility, contending that he alone had analyzed the hands, which were primarily played with him and available on the High Stakes Database.
Full Tilt penalized him by revoking his ‘Red Pro’ status for one month. No action has been taken against Hastings who abused the information given to him by Townsend in order to take $4 million dollars from mystery player Isildur, who seems to have quit playing at Full Tilt Poker. Something about the whole story seems very disturbing. Either there was a violation of Full Tilt’s Terms and Conditions, in which case both Hastings and Townsend are guilty, and the one who ended the session $4 million ahead should be the one taking the penalty, not just the one who gave him the tools to do it!
Moreover, if Isildur1 is the victim of a violation, then Full Tilt needs to make some form of restitution to the player. If they don’t, then they are showing clearly that they are not willing to welcome new high-level players. Only low level players will be able to get a fair shake at the game. If there was no violation, then any action taken against Townsend is gratuitous. Full Tilt, please make up your minds. Either there was a grevious violation and you need to protect your players from the real perpertrator or there was no violation and there is no reason to punish Townsend!
