Epic Poker League Qualifier Forced to Withdraw From Main Event

A rather unusual situation has unfolded before the start of the second Epic Poker League Main Event, with one of the Pro-Am qualifiers being forced to withdraw from the event by the league.

According to Bluff Magazine, the affected player is Michael DiVita, who finished in 8^th place in the Pro/Am event, which awarded nine seats into the EPL Main Event which begins today. The problem came when DiVita attempted to register for the tournament on Monday. Bluff reports that witnesses on the scene saw Palms Casino personnel stall him until he was finally told that he would not be welcome to play in EPL events or at the Palms. DiVita was refunded his original $1,500 entry fee for the Pro/Am, and was then escorted out of the casino.

It appears that the incident is related to a criminal record that was uncovered by other poker players, who in turn alerted the Epic Poker League. According to Bluff Magazine, public records show that “DiVita is a convicted sex offender and has been convicted of assault with intent to commit a specified sex offense, annoy or molest child under 18 years of age, sexual battery and sexual battery involving a restrained person.”

Of course, no criminal conviction is likely to prevent a player from participating in most poker tournaments. However, the EPL has a Player Code of Conduct, which outlines what the league expects of participants in EPL events. The code specifies several ways in which a player might violate the code of conduct, but clearly states that “persons who engage in serious criminal conduct are subject to League discipline.”

Since DiVita will not be participating in the Main Event, 10^th-place Pro-Am finisher Jamie Kaplan was awarded a seat in his place. The second EPL Main Event will begin play Tuesday, and will feature an eight-handed format.