Gossip Column: ACR Poker Under Fire AGAIN: Ebony Kenney and the RTA Controversy

A storm is brewing in the poker world, and at the centre of it all is ACR Poker, facing a double dose of controversy involving its sponsored pros and real-time assistance (RTA) software. This isn’t just a small ripple; it’s a full-blown tempest, raising serious questions about game integrity and the platform’s commitment to fair play.

First, the spotlight fell on Nacho Barbero. Caught with GTO Wizard open during online play, Barbero’s explanation—that it was for coaching purposes, not personal use—didn’t sit well with many. ACR’s response, dismissing the incident as a “goofball” moment, only fueled the fire. They claimed an internal investigation found no wrongdoing. The poker community, however, remained sceptical.

Now, the storm has intensified, and Ebony Kenney is in the eye of the hurricane. A year-old image has resurfaced, showing an RTA chart on her screen while she was playing online. Kenney’s explanation, issued after a day of mounting pressure, echoes Barbero’s defence. She claims the RTA was used to review a past hand, not to influence current play. ACR, predictably, echoed their earlier statement, citing a review of the incident, both past and present, that found no evidence of real-time use for unfair advantage. They reiterated their commitment to game integrity.

I know there’s been some conversation, so I’m addressing it directly. Full statement attached. pic.twitter.com/VgfZv58eOl

— Ebony Kenney | Poker & Purposeful Pleasure (@Ebony_Kenney) February 23, 2025

We are aware of a recently resurfaced screenshot showing ACR Poker Pro, @Ebony_Kenney, with GTO Wizard open while playing The Venom tournament in January 2024. This image first circulated on social media at that time and there was no evidence that the software was used in…

— ACR Poker (@ACR_POKER) February 24, 2025

But the poker world isn’t easily swayed. Benjamin “benc789” Rolle, a respected figure in the poker community, challenged the very notion of post-hand analysis as justifiable. While acknowledging it’s not as egregious as in-hand RTA use, he argued that it still provides an unfair edge, granting access to optimal solutions that can inform future decisions in similar scenarios. This raises a crucial point: even if Kenney wasn’t actively using the RTA during a hand, the knowledge gained could undeniably influence her overall gameplay.

I don’t understand why people still believe that analyzing a spot after a hand is justifiable.

It is not as bad as doing it during a hand, but it is still very bad.
It gives you an unfair advantage. You get to see real-time results for a situation on your table.

You get to see… https://t.co/PjvefKv0KT

— bencb (@bencb789) February 24, 2025

Kenney, in her statement, asserted she has never used RTA “in real time” for an unfair advantage. She stated her use of GTO Wizard is infrequent and limited to reviewing past hands or running drills. She even offered to share her hand histories for review, confident they would reveal no RTA use. Yet, the timing of her statement, a day after the image surfaced, and the similarity to Barbero’s defence has left many unconvinced. Vanessa Kade‘s pointed comment, “full responsibility would be quitting,” encapsulates the sentiment of many in the community.

fake feminists don’t count

— Vanessa Kade (@VanessaKade) February 24, 2025

full responsibility would be quitting.

— Vanessa Kade (@VanessaKade) February 23, 2025

The controversy isn’t just about individual players. It’s about ACR’s handling of the situation. Critics point to the platform’s history of scandals, particularly accusations of widespread bot usage. In a previous video addressing the Barbero incident, Doug Polk advised players to choose platforms that prioritize game integrity. His words now seem eerily prescient. Matt Berkey joined the chorus of disapproval, suggesting that continued play on ACR is foolish.

Welcome to the new normal https://t.co/jwcCtkblST

— Matt Berkey (@berkey11) February 24, 2025

Many from the poker community joined the chorus with scathing remarks and criticism of Kenney’s stance.

Have an unbiased middle party collate your login data from GTO wizard, showing all the dates you logged in over the past year, and then collate that with any times which overlapped with any tournaments you played, and the corresponding hands checked.

IMO this should be a…

— Jamie Scott Low (@BlazeMajic) February 25, 2025

I’m a big fan of yours. I watched the triton event in real time and cheered your accomplishment.

That being said, you and nacho both should be fired.
I saw the post last year and while I still play on ACR my play has been substantially down since then. I figured if it was ok…

— fni (@fniguru) February 23, 2025

The questions swirling around ACR are many. What constitutes acceptable RTA use? Are preflop charts permissible? What measures are in place to prevent RTA use, even between hands? What are the consequences for those found to be in violation? Is GTO Wizard a partner of ACR, and if so, does ACR recognize its potential threat to game integrity? Patrick Leonard, who investigated the Barbero incident, has publicly posed these questions, demanding clarity and transparency from the platform.

The drama continues to unfold, with the poker community watching closely. This isn’t just about two players and a piece of software. It’s about trust, fairness, and the future of online poker.