Upeshka De Silva Reportedly Disqualified from WSOP Final Table After Positive COVID-19 Test

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Dec 28, 2020 3 min read Last updated Dec 31, 2020

Upeshka De Silva has reportedly been disqualified from the 2020 WSOP Main Event following a positive COVID-19 test, just hours before the final table was due to get underway.

The story broke late Sunday night, after two-time Global Poker Award winner Joey Ingram tweeted that De Silva had tested positive and had therefore been disqualified.

According to WSOP rules, any player who tests positive for COVID-19 prior to the start of the final table play will be disqualified and receive the minimum final table payout.

There has been no official statement from the WSOP since the story broke.

If his disqualification is confirmed by the WSOP, De Silva will walk away with the minimum final table payout of $98,813, with Harrison Dobin automatically laddering one place.

Related: Upeshka De Silva Seeking 4th Bracelet at 2020 WSOP Main Event Final Table

De Silva Reveals All

De Silva explained more about the situation in a series of follow-up tweets, with the three-time bracelet-winner explaining that he had been quarantining since Dec. 10 but ultimately tested positive on Dec. 20.

The following day, he immediately reached out to WSOP Vice President Jack Effel (pictured). The two discussed the situation, and Effel asked De Silva whether he had tested himself that day. De Silva had not, leading Effel to say that he'd see De Silva on Sunday, Dec. 27 for the compulsory final table tests.

De Silva said that he felt "very scared" and was worried about going public with the situation. Although testing negative on Saturday, Dec. 26, a positive result at the official test the following day led to his apparent disqualification.

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Possible Outcomes

Although Ingram himself came up with a set of possible options, including postponing the event, playing it online, or arranging an ICM payout it would be unlikely if any of these options came to fruition.

China's Peiyuan Sun was disqualified from the International WSOP Main Event, after opting not to travel for the final table, and received the minimum final table payout. Although his disqualification was not due to a positive test, that would appear to be the precedent for any disqualification occurring at the final table in Las Vegas.

Coincidentally, both Sun and De Silva started their respective final tables eighth in chips.

Based in the United Kingdom, Will started working for PokerNews as a freelance live reporter in 2015 and joined the full-time staff in 2019. He now works as Managing Editor. He graduated from the University of Kent in 2017 with a B.A. in German. He also holds an NCTJ Diploma in Sports Journalism.

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