Though the jury is still out it seems Jamie Gold might have been colluding in the 2006 World Series of Poker. Surprisingly the source for this rumor is Gold himself, who was quoted in a recent interview with Bluff Magazine as saying "...every time I tell you to lay down your hand, you lay down your hand. And they all said okay."
Matthew Parvis from Bluff Magazine posted on the two plus two forums that these were the exact words that Gold said, and that there is no possibility he was misquoted. Here's the full quote:
"So every day I'd come to the table and everyone would freak out, and there'd be this guy sitting next to me who was practically in tears because he knew [he] could never raise a hand. So I said, "No, listen, think about it like this: No one can raise you, because they're raising me after you. You're in a great spot, and here's the deal. In return for this protection, every time I tell you to lay down your hand, you lay down your hand. And they all said okay. So I would look at my cards before the guy to my right, and then I'd say, "OK, you're cool; proceed..." or "Nope. Lay it down.""
In the same two plus two thread Greg Raymer, winner of the 2004 World Series of Poker, comments: "If this is correct, that Jamie was telling the player on his right to fold when Jamie wanted him to fold, but to go ahead and play as desired when Jamie was going to fold, then it is collusion, and it is against the rules."
We'll keep you updated as more info becomes available, but right now it looks like Jamie Gold is in trouble again.