Five Years After Infamous WSOP Incident, 'Naked Bandit' Talks Mental Health

Five years ago, one of the most infamous incidents in World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event history took place. It happened on Day 1c at Table #317 in the Rio's Pavilion Yellow section in Level 2. That is when the poker world was first introduced to “The Naked Bandit,” who was disqualified after throwing his shoes at the dealer and pulling down his pants.

Between July 24-27, the then-45-year-old Ken Strauss, the man behind the nickname, had similar incidents at multiple other Las Vegas casinos including ARIA, Venetian, Red Rock, and Trump International Hotel, where he was ultimately arrested and subsequently led to him being charged with terroristic threats.

Read Ken Strauss' full story on PokerNews here.

Strauss, who experienced a psychotic break of sorts, was deemed incompetent to stand trial, and after treatment, managed to avoid jail time in a deal with prosecutors that sentenced him to probation.

Under the ruling from District Judge Mary Kay Holthus, Strauss had to undergo mental health treatment, not visit Clark County, or have any contact with Las Vegas casinos for two years.

That was the end of the Naked Bandit, but it was the start of the long road to recovery for Strauss, who recently sat down with PokerNews for an in-depth chat for Mental Health Awareness Month.