Jason Koon and GGPoker, the brand he has represented as an ambassador for some time, have parted ways. In a move that surprised some with its sudden nature, Koon announced that he was leaving on the same day that Fedor Holz told fans that he will be GGPoker’s new Poker Integrity Ambassador. A few weeks on from GG’s announcement that they are cracking down even harder on potential cheats, is this a day to be celebrated or consoled over?
King Koon Takes Off His Crown
There can be no doubt that Jason Koon was a very popular GGPoker ambassador. The multiple Triton Poker event winner has crushed at the high stakes for some time and the family man, a father since 2021 and a dad again last year, could hardly be a cleaner or more aspirational ambassador… with the possible exception of Fedor Holz.
Here’s how Jason Koon made the brief announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter:
GGPoker and I have gone our separate ways. I wish them continued success. @GGPoker
— Jason Koon (@JasonKoon) February 7, 2024
The timing for Koon’s departure seems, on the face of it, to be sudden. Sitting in third place on the All-Time Money List on The Hendon Mob, Koon has won close to $6 million in the past six months alone and his career winnings of $55.7 million is only worse than Justin Bonomo ($63.4m) and Bryn Kenney ($65.1m).
With GGPoker at the top of their game right now, and with other ambassadors Daniel Negreanu (6th) Fedor Holz (12th) and Bertrand ‘ElkY’ Grospellier (73rd) all prominent on the same list, it is – or was – the best roster out there for experience. Just a few months ago, Koon was part of Negreanu’s team in the phenomenally successful poker and reality TV hybrid show, Game of Gold, with Holz also present on that show.
Why Did Jason Koon Decide to Leave?
“The problem was patched, and the vulnerability no longer exists.”
Could the departure of Koon from GGPoker and therefore the Poker Integrity Council (PIC) established in July 2022 be an indication of his unwillingness to divert attention from playing poker, or simply that Holz has a desire to step up? Koon did not elaborate on his reasoning in either his X post or any replies.
Koon did not give a reason for why he and GGPoker had gone separate ways. When lawyer Todd Witteles asked Koon about the alleged superuser ‘MoneyTaker’ and the investigation into the issue on January 24th, Koon replied:
“I hope all the information can surface, as for now there are legal constraints. What I can confidently say is it is extremely unlikely a similar event ever occurred (I don’t know enough to say with 100% certainty). The problem was patched, and the vulnerability no longer exists.”
Maybe Koon’s desire is to spend a lot more time with his young family. Back in Decmeber when Phil Galfond put up a post of an epic cash game featuring Koon, the West Virginian said in response: “The thing I remember most about this night is it was at the end of a two-day cash/tourney bender where a bunch of us had yet to sleep. The TV crew finished at about 4 a.m., but we kept playing until sunrise. Those days were fun, but I don’t miss them.”
Fedor Holz Picks Up the Baton
“I understand that the current environment comes with a lot of challenges.”
A short time before Koon announced that he was leaving the brand, Fedor Holz took to the same platform to tell his followers the news about his ascension to the position of Poker Integrity Ambassador. Here’s his statement in full.
“I’m excited to announce my new role as Poker Integrity Ambassador for GGPoker. Ensuring fair play and security will be my top priority. I am in direct contact with the security team and will involve myself more in the processes and directly contribute to enhance the security of the games on GG. I understand that the current environment comes with a lot of challenges in that regard with advancing technology, but I believe it’s of utmost importance to continuously improve security on online poker sites. I’ll do my best to support and further that cause.”
Those challenges in the current environment of course included further investigations into the superuser allegations. GGPoker, to their credit, have already paid back $29,000 in tournament buy-ins and done everything a brand can do in order to tighten security and keep poker players informed at all times. Back at the time, GGPoker told players: “The security and integrity of our games is our priority. We have, and will, always do everything within our power to prevent cheating in any form.”
Those sentiments are aligned with Holz, whose character has always been without question. He’s going to be as passionate as anyone at looking into any security breaches and is determined to bring the new era of GGPoker into an even tighter regime when it comes to protecting players and the integrity of the game.
The work starts right away for one of the brightest minds in the game.
