Mike Postle

Mike Postle, a 46-year-old poker player originally from Wisconsin and residing in Northern California, has a long history of playing cards in the Southeast, particularly in Mississippi's poker hubs of Biloxi and Tunica. Before the cheating allegations, he was known as a competent and tough cash game player, especially during the poker boom era. His tournament career includes over $500,000 in cashes, with his largest single payout being $118,000. His last recorded live tournament cash before the scandal was in August 2019, just weeks before the accusations surfaced.

In 2019, Postle was accused of cheating during live-streamed cash games at Stones Gambling Hall in Sacramento, California. Veronica Brill, a Stones Live commentator and player who was formerly a friend of Postle, brought the allegations forward. It was alleged that Postle used an electronic device, possibly with the help of a member of the show's production team, to gain access to opponents' hole cards. This would explain his uncanny ability to make correct decisions in tough spots, often pulling off insane bluffs and rarely being caught when opponents held monsters. The accusations sparked widespread outrage and investigation, with notable poker figures like Joey Ingram, Doug Polk, and Daniel Negreanu publicly questioning his play. Postle immediately denied the allegations and was never convicted or charged with a crime.

Following the allegations, a $10 million lawsuit was filed against Postle, Stones Gambling Hall, and tournament director Justin Kuraitis, who was accused by many, including Brill, of being Postle's co-conspirator. The case involved 88 alleged plaintiffs, represented by attorney Maurice “Mac” VerStandig. Postle, claiming to be a pro se litigant, filed defense briefs that appeared to be crafted by attorney William F. Portanova, leading to a motion for sanctions. The plaintiffs sought to strike Postle's filings or force Portanova to appear officially. The legal saga continued with Postle filing a $300 million countersuit against Brill and others, which was dismissed, leaving Postle with legal fees and a damaged reputation. Brill and others countersued for legal expenses and won, resulting in a court order for Postle to pay over $27,000, which he has not paid.

In January 2023, Postle resurfaced in the poker world by reaching the final table of the $1,200 buy-in Million Dollar Heater series Main Event at Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. He registered under the name "Michael Lawrence," his legal first and middle name, but his identity was soon discovered. Postle finished seventh, earning $32,703. During the event, Veronica Brill's attorneys attempted to garnish his winnings to satisfy the court-ordered debt, filing a writ of garnishment against Beau Rivage Resorts. However, due to the timing and Mississippi gaming law, Postle was paid before the legal documents could be processed. Attorney Marc Randazza, representing Brill, stated, "So he got away...this time. But if he thinks we are just going to go away, he is mistaken." The poker community's reaction was largely negative, with one Twitter user writing, "Dude robbed TONS of people and gets to just live like it never happened. A true human scumbag if there ever was one."

Postle's playing style during the Stones Live streams was characterized by aggressive and precise decisions, often making unorthodox calls or bluffs on the river. While this initially impressed some viewers, it later became a focal point of the cheating allegations. Despite the controversy, Postle has maintained a low profile, playing online or in live games away from the spotlight. His reputation remains tarnished, with few public supporters beyond internet trolls and Justin Kuraitis. The case has had a lasting impact on the poker community, highlighting the need for vigilance against cheating in live-streamed games.