Mike Postle, the poker pro at the center of one of the most explosive cheating scandals in recent memory, has dodged legal repercussions — at least for now. A U.S. District Court judge has dismissed the civil case against Postle, dealing a major blow to the plaintiffs who accused him of long-term cheating in low-stakes, live-streamed poker games.
Judge Cites California Law Protecting Gambling Disputes
In his ruling, Judge William B. Shubb sided with the defense, referencing a California legal precedent that bars courts from intervening in gambling disputes. According to the judge, the alleged poker losses are not “cognizable under California law” because such damages are considered speculative and thus not enforceable.
What’s more, the judge dismissed with prejudice, meaning Postle cannot be sued again on the same claims in California, and a request for sanctions against him was also denied. The case originally named not just Postle, but Stones Gambling Hall and tournament director Justin Kuraitis as defendants.
However, there may still be a path forward for the plaintiffs — an amended complaint may be filed, but it must exclude Postle and focus instead on Stones and Kuraitis. The amended claims would likely center on rake collection and whether Stones failed to ensure a fair and secure environment for players.
The Allegations: High Tech Cheating in Low-Stakes Games
The original lawsuit, filed in October 2019, accused Postle of exploiting live-streamed low-stakes poker games at Stones Gambling Hall to gain real-time knowledge of opponents’ hole cards — allegedly earning him over $250,000 through improbable winning sessions.
Postle’s suspiciously consistent win rate raised red flags within the poker community, and the case quickly went viral. Many players analyzed the footage and came to the conclusion that Postle’s play defied logic, suggesting he had outside help or access to private game data.
Plaintiffs and Poker Community React
Attorney Mac VerStandig, who represented the group of plaintiffs, expressed disappointment in the ruling but also pointed a finger at the casino for facilitating Postle’s escape from litigation:
“While I am of course disappointed Mr. Postle has been let out of this litigation, I trust that disappointment pales compared to that of Stones Gambling Hall, which made the arguments that permitted Mr. Postle to exit the case.”
Not Out of the Woods Yet
Despite the dismissal in California, Postle still faces legal pressure elsewhere. A separate lawsuit filed by poker pro Marle Cordeiro in Nevada remains active. Whether or not this case can deliver consequences that California couldn’t remains to be seen.
For now, Mike Postle walks away without legal accountability, but with the poker world still watching closely.
