Late Saturday night, former UB pro Annie Duke (pictured) issued a lengthy statement on Facebookresponding to the tapes allegedly made by Russ Hamiltondetailing a cover up of the cheating scandal at UB. Her commentary follows a short series of Tweets last weekend that read in part, “I had access to the delayed viewing of cards only for a few UB tournament events where I was a radio commentator. This delayed viewing was made public during those broadcasts and is standard practice for WSOP commentators for live events also.”

Duke expressed remorse from the start of her latest response, saying that she was unaware of the so-called “God Mode” that allowed the cheats to the view hole cards of UltimateBet players: “I have never used a tool on a delay or otherwise that gave me or anyone else access to hole cards for use during real money play nor was I aware that such a tool existed until the scandal broke.”

She added that she regrets promoting UB, a site she served as the main spokesman for along with 13-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth: “Knowing what I know today, I would have never encouraged anyone to play on the UltimateBet.com site under that management. I’m horrified at the lengths to which these people went to try to cover up their actions, and I am very sorry that I ever agreed to work with them.” Former UltimateBet COO Paul Leggett now works with Amaya Gaming, which owns the Ongame Network.

Duke then clarified her ability to see hole cards and action during broadcasts of UltimateBet tournaments: “During commentary, what I saw as the hands were being played was exactly what every other spectator of the table was able to see. I and other co-commentators were providing commentary as we watched live play, and the broadcast of our comments was delayed.”

She claimed that anyone watching the broadcast online saw the same screen she did and pointed out, “We were never shown any non-public hole card information, during or after hands.”

Duke concluded by saying, “These tapes make it clear that the perpetrators went to great lengths to lie, concoct multiple stories, and conspire to cover up their cheating. They tried to minimize their exposure in part by pawning off responsibility to Absolute Poker, the new owners.”

Duke’s Facebook post also includes responses and supporting information from co-commentator John Vorhaus and former UB Pro Relations Manager Jo Priam.

The audio in question came to light last weekend and features Hamilton(pictured) and others allegedly trying to cover up the cheating scandal at UB. The site vacated the U.S. market shortly after Black Friday; its U.S. players have not yet been repaid, as UB and Absolute Poker are in liquidation.

Related Articles:
Annie Duke: “Sad, A Few Folks Making Accusations and Assumptions”
Ultimate Poker Severs Ties with Iovation
Phil Hellmuth: “Horrible Read About My Relationship with Ultimate Bet”
Players React to Recorded UB Meeting Involving Russ Hamilton

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