In late April, the poker community watched with concern as Tom “durrrr” Dwan began posting a series of cryptic and distressed messages on social media. The high-stakes legend published several erratic posts on X (formerly Twitter), tagging figures such as Donald Trump, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, and multiple UK politicians — claiming that his life was in danger.
“Can someone tell the UK government to chill the fk out bro,” he wrote in one post. In another, he claimed British police had broken his ribs and possibly punctured his lung, and that a hospital had refused to perform X-rays. At one point, he tweeted the name “Central Middlesex Hospital,” suggesting that he had been admitted there.
PokerNews editor Will Shillibier later confirmed that Dwan was being held at the Park Royal Center for Mental Health and reported that he had spoken to Dwan directly. According to Shillibier, Dwan appeared physically unharmed, but “spoke at length about what he believes he experienced.”
On April 30, Dwan posted a calmer update:
“Finally feeling a bit better. I got a bit stressed, sorry.”
A New Twist: Legal Action on the Horizon
In mid-May, Dwan returned to the United States and began posting again — this time in a much different tone. He claimed he had been held involuntarily and medicated against his will at the psychiatric facility. He also alleged that the April 30 tweet, in which he claimed to be feeling better, had been coerced by the staff.
“I’ll be filing complaints, lawsuits, and also making some public statements,” he tweeted on May 20.
Dwan said that several tests were performed on him without his consent. While he initially planned to remain silent, he has since stated that he will go into greater detail during an upcoming stream with content creator Abril Zucchi.
Dwan’s Career – From Online Icon to Controversial Figure
Tom “durrrr” Dwan rose to global poker fame in the late 2000s, becoming one of the most feared online and live cash game players of his era. In recent years, however, he has attracted more attention for off-the-table controversies — including rumors of unpaid debts and disputes from high-stakes private games — than for tournament success.
Whether Dwan’s case will lead to legal or institutional consequences remains to be seen. One thing is certain: this story has once again thrust him into the spotlight — not for a legendary poker hand, but for a deeply personal and unsettling experience.
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