Phil Ivey Loses £7.7m Court Case

Phil Ivey Loses £7.7m Court Case

Thursday, 9 October 2014

Phil Ivey has lost his High Court battle with the owners of Crockfords Club in London over his £7.7m punto banco win.

Ivey managed to win the huge score from the casino during a two-day session in 2012, but after suspecting something wasn't quite right Ivey's £1m stake was repaid but the winnings were withheld pending review.

The 38-year-old admitted using a technique known as edge-sorting which allows a skilled player to identify small design imperfections on back of the cards in order to work out the value of them.

Genting Casinos, the parent company of Crockfords argued that edge sorting wasn't a legitimate strategy and that they were within their right to withhold any money won that way. The judge at the High Court agreed.

“Crockfords is pleased with the judgement of the High Court today supporting its defence of a claim by Mr Ivey,” a spokesman for Genting said. “It is our policy not to discuss our clients' affairs in public and we very much regret that proceedings were brought against us.”

A spokesman, speaking on behalf of the 10-time WSOP bracelet winner said, “I am obviously disappointed with this judge’s decision. As I said in court, it is not my nature to cheat and I would never do anything to risk my reputation.

“I am pleased that the judge acknowledged in court that I was a truthful witness.

“I believe that what we did was a legitimate strategy and we did nothing more than exploit Crockfords’ failures to take proper steps to protect themselves against a player of my ability.

“Clearly today the judge did not agree.”

Ivey's legal team were denied permission to appeal the verdict but they can petition the High Court directly if they wish to try again.



Tags: Phil Ivey, Crockfords Casino