WPT Global has officially announced the signing of Tony “Ren” Lin as its newest brand ambassador.
Lin is a high-stakes tournament player with more than $16 million in recorded live earnings, ranking among the top Chinese players of all time. With this move, he joins WPT Global’s ambassador lineup alongside names such as Phil Ivey, Fintan Hand, and Pete Chen.
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions within the poker community due to Lin’s past involvement in an RTA (real-time assistance) violation. In late 2025, Lin was disqualified from the WSOP Super Circuit Main Event in Cyprus after breaching tournament regulations. The incident resulted in suspension measures from both WSOP and GGPoker events.
Following the ruling, Lin ended his ambassador role with GGPoker. Approximately seven weeks later, he returned to the live circuit at the WSOP Paradise series, which sparked further discussion around disciplinary consistency in professional poker.
In response to the signing, WPT Global stated that its ambassador selection process is based on proven performance and competitive results rather than online influence or follower counts. The platform emphasized its focus on accountability, long-term growth, and future contribution to the game.
Lin first gained widespread attention in 2022 after a deep run at the WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic. He followed that performance in 2023 by winning the $50,000 WPT Alpha8 event in Las Vegas, defeating Jason Koon heads-up for a seven-figure payout.
He has continued to appear regularly on major stages, including the WSOP Main Event and WSOP Paradise events, maintaining an active presence at the highest levels of tournament poker.
WPT Global’s decision highlights an ongoing conversation within the poker industry regarding responsibility, rehabilitation, and second chances. How Lin’s role develops moving forward will be closely watched by the community.