Ivan Freitez Recognized as a Prolific Angle Shooter Among Poor Poker Players
In the world of poker, controversies often arise, and one such incident that made headlines was the angle shooting controversy involving Ivan Freitez at the 2010 EPT Grand Final. This event, held in Monte Carlo, left a lasting impression on the poker community and is still referenced as a significant controversy.
Angle shooting, a tactic that exploits the rules or opponents’ expectations in a way that is considered unethical but not illegal, is a common occurrence in poker, especially in smaller events. Freitez, a Venezuelan poker player, was known for his controversial angle shooting strategy.
During the tournament, Freitez would announce a raise, then put in the calling chips, justifying his actions with the phrase "no speak English." This strategy was designed to throw opponents off and confuse them into making a light call. The tactic reached a climax when Freitez used it against player Eugene Yanayt, during the final stages of the tournament.
Thomas Kremser, the tournament director, had grown tired of Freitez's antics and took a proactive approach when Freitez tried to pull his angle shooting strategy again. Kremser, in a conversation with Yanayt, revealed that Freitez was known for doing this with very strong hands, and every time he got called, he turned over the virtual nuts.
Despite the controversy, Freitez's angle shooting strategy did not significantly impact his bank account. He won the 2010 EPT Grand Final, pocketing over $2.2 million, and had close to $2.7 million in live winnings, making him the top of the Venezuelan all-time money list in poker.
After the Monte Carlo tournament, Freitez did not have many notable results, except for a win in the $350 Deep Stack Rock 'N' Roll event in 2015. However, his reputation as a poker villain remained, a reminder of the line between gamesmanship and unethical conduct in the sport.
The Ivan Freitez controversy at the EPT Grand Final gave him a reputation as a poker villain and raised questions about the ethics of angle shooting in poker tournaments. Although detailed, specific public reporting on Freitez's angle shooting controversy is limited, it serves as a lesson for players and tournament directors alike about maintaining fairness and integrity in the game.
In recent years, controversies related to angle shooting have continued to provoke debate, with incidents such as Will Kassouf's WSOP ban in 2025, Patrick Leonard's livestream controversy, and various incidents reported at WSOP 2025. These incidents highlight the ongoing need for clear guidelines and strict enforcement to ensure a level playing field in poker tournaments.
- Some poker blogs often discuss and analyze controversial incidents like the angle shooting strategy used by Ivan Freitez, who won the 2010 EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo, causing a stir in the poker community.
- Aside from poker, Freitez's controversies extend to casino-games and sports-betting, with reports of questionable tactics in these arenas as well, contributing to his reputation as a casino-and-gambling villain.
- To combat such unethical behavior, recent poker tournaments have established strict rules against angle shooting and have imposed penalties on players like Will Kassouf and Patrick Leonard, emphasizing the importance of maintaining fairness and integrity in casino-games and sports-betting.
