The poker community erupted in controversy after Nacho Barbero, one of Argentina’s most accomplished poker pros, was caught with a GTO Wizard chart open while playing on ACR Poker, the very site he represents. The discovery, made through a screenshot on his Instagram story, has fueled backlash against unregulated poker sites and raised serious concerns about fair play in online poker.
Did Barbero Use RTA to Cheat?
The image in question clearly shows a real-time assistance (RTA) chart on Barbero’s screen while he was competing in The Venom, a major ACR Poker tournament. RTA tools, which provide optimal decision-making guidance during hands, are strictly banned on nearly every poker site, including ACR. Given the site’s troubled history with bots, collusion, and cheating scandals, the discovery has only amplified skepticism about its commitment to integrity.
Barbero quickly defended himself, claiming he was using the GTO Wizard only to coach players on a Discord call, not to influence his own decisions. However, the poker community wasn’t buying it.
“Why leave space in between windows to keep GTO Wizard visible if you’re not using it?” one skeptic asked.
“Even if you’re not using it, one of your staked players might be, which still violates the Terms of Service,” another pointed out.
Barbero even went as far as offering 10-to-1 odds that he could prove he wasn’t using the tool to cheat, but the damage was already done—his reputation, and ACR’s response, were under fire.
ACR’s Bizarre Defense Sparks Even More Outrage
Rather than taking the accusations seriously, ACR Poker responded in a way that left many shaking their heads:
“Nacho Barbero is a goofball and we love him. Anyone who’s played with, against, or around him knows he’s not a GTO-style player and likely never will be. We’re confident he was not using GTO Wizard to gain any advantage for himself.”
The tweet came off as dismissive and unprofessional, and to make matters worse, ACR disabled comments—a move that only fueled suspicion. Poker players took to quote tweets to express their frustration:
“Possibly the dumbest response to cheating I’ve ever heard. If you play on this site or collect a paycheck from ACR, you are scum,” one user blasted.
“Imagine a major poker site getting called out for a scandal and this is how they respond,” another added.
Unregulated Poker Sites Under Fire Again
Barbero’s scandal isn’t the only one making waves this week. Six-time WSOP bracelet winner Brian Hastings recently accused Ignition Poker, another unregulated site, of collusion in a high-stakes tournament. These incidents highlight the growing distrust in offshore poker rooms, where oversight is minimal, and scandals seem to emerge regularly.
As the poker world continues debating the legitimacy of online platforms, one thing is clear—players are demanding transparency, fairness, and accountability. Whether ACR or any other unregulated site will step up to meet those expectations remains to be seen.
What Do You Think?
Is Barbero’s excuse believable? Does ACR’s response make the situation worse? Share your thoughts below!
Source: https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/01/online-poker-cheating-acr-poker-47859.htm
Did Barbero Use RTA to Cheat?
The image in question clearly shows a real-time assistance (RTA) chart on Barbero’s screen while he was competing in The Venom, a major ACR Poker tournament. RTA tools, which provide optimal decision-making guidance during hands, are strictly banned on nearly every poker site, including ACR. Given the site’s troubled history with bots, collusion, and cheating scandals, the discovery has only amplified skepticism about its commitment to integrity.
Barbero quickly defended himself, claiming he was using the GTO Wizard only to coach players on a Discord call, not to influence his own decisions. However, the poker community wasn’t buying it.
“Why leave space in between windows to keep GTO Wizard visible if you’re not using it?” one skeptic asked.
“Even if you’re not using it, one of your staked players might be, which still violates the Terms of Service,” another pointed out.
Barbero even went as far as offering 10-to-1 odds that he could prove he wasn’t using the tool to cheat, but the damage was already done—his reputation, and ACR’s response, were under fire.
ACR’s Bizarre Defense Sparks Even More Outrage
Rather than taking the accusations seriously, ACR Poker responded in a way that left many shaking their heads:
“Nacho Barbero is a goofball and we love him. Anyone who’s played with, against, or around him knows he’s not a GTO-style player and likely never will be. We’re confident he was not using GTO Wizard to gain any advantage for himself.”
The tweet came off as dismissive and unprofessional, and to make matters worse, ACR disabled comments—a move that only fueled suspicion. Poker players took to quote tweets to express their frustration:
“Possibly the dumbest response to cheating I’ve ever heard. If you play on this site or collect a paycheck from ACR, you are scum,” one user blasted.
“Imagine a major poker site getting called out for a scandal and this is how they respond,” another added.
Unregulated Poker Sites Under Fire Again
Barbero’s scandal isn’t the only one making waves this week. Six-time WSOP bracelet winner Brian Hastings recently accused Ignition Poker, another unregulated site, of collusion in a high-stakes tournament. These incidents highlight the growing distrust in offshore poker rooms, where oversight is minimal, and scandals seem to emerge regularly.
As the poker world continues debating the legitimacy of online platforms, one thing is clear—players are demanding transparency, fairness, and accountability. Whether ACR or any other unregulated site will step up to meet those expectations remains to be seen.
What Do You Think?
Is Barbero’s excuse believable? Does ACR’s response make the situation worse? Share your thoughts below!
Source: https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/01/online-poker-cheating-acr-poker-47859.htm
