Poker Writer
Bertrand Grospellier, popularly known as “ElkY,” has been called out by former high-stakes poker player Jason Mo on X for alleged unpaid debts. ElkY was once a prominent figure in the poker world, but has seemed to recede from the public eye over the past year.
Mo took to X to warn people about potential financial dealings with the longtime French poker pro. He wrote:
Just a psa to all on financial dealings with @elkypoker, Over the past year he has engaged in repeated unethical behavior of borrowing money and not paying back, resulting in 7 figures of debt. I’ve considered him a close friend for quite some time but going forward I can’t condone this type of behavior and am obligated to warn and protect others
However, Mo made his account private shortly thereafter, so the post is no longer visible to the public.
Mo has a reputation for an aggressive posture on social media and for not holding back when criticizing others or offering his opinions on situations. He has retired from poker to pursue a career in investing, primarily cryptocurrency.
The accusation came as a shock to many in the poker world, as Grospellier has enjoyed a generally good reputation for his 15 years on the poker scene. He was also formerly renowned as an esports player. His nickname, ElkY, comes from his esports screen name and predates his poker career.
Grospellier has not responded to the allegations, which have sparked a thread on the Two Plus Two poker forums. One user wrote:
I’m long past being surprised by news like this, but this one really makes me sad
ElkY Backs Away From the Public Sphere
ElkY was once one of the more visible poker pros, but has changed his posture recently. He had been, at various times, an ambassador for PokerStars, PartyPoker, and, most recently, GGPoker.
That latest role came to an end in February, and marked the beginning of his apparent departure from the public stage.
On Feb. 18, he announced the end of his five-year GGPoker ambassadorship and implied that his participation in poker might become intermittent. Nine days later, he replaced his profile picture with an empty, black image and has not posted since.
GGPoker and I had an incredible journey together, but our ride has come to an end. That said, I’ll still be playing on GG and WSOP from time to time, so I look forward to seeing you all at the tables!@GGPoker
— ElkY (@elkypoker) February 18, 2025
Elky also has not been seen at the poker tables in a while. His last recorded poker cash in the Card Player archives was over a year ago, dating back to May 2024 in Jeju, South Korea. He has no results listed from the 2024 or 2025 World Series of Poker, and just one cash in 2023.
Meanwhile, Stephen Chidwick, a pro long known for his quiet nature and absence from social media, has moved in the opposite direction, creating a new X account and promising to open up more.
