Phil Ivey verklagt Full Tilt Poker und boykottiert WSOP 2011

For many years, I have been proud to call myself a poker player. This great sport has taken me to places I only imagined going and I have been blessed with much success. It is therefore with deep regret that I believe I am compelled to release the following statement.

I am deeply disappointed and embarrassed that Full Tilt players have not been paid money they are owed. I am equally embarrassed that as a result many players cannot compete in tournaments and have suffered economic harm.

I am not playing in the World Series of Poker as I do not believe it is fair that I compete when others cannot. I am doing everything I can to seek a solution to the problem as quickly as possible.

My name and reputation have been dragged through the mud, through the inactivity and indecision of others and on behalf of all poker players I refuse to remain silent any longer. I have electronically filed a lawsuit against Tiltware related to the unsettled player accounts. As I am sure the public can imagine, this was not an easy decision for me.

I wholeheartedly refuse to accept non-action as to repayment of players funds and I am angered that people who have supported me throughout my career have been treated so poorly.

I sincerely hope this statement will ignite those capable of resolving the problems into immediate action and would like to clarify that until a solution is reached that cements the security of all players, both US and International, I will, as I have for the last six weeks, dedicate the entirety of my time and efforts to finding a solution for those who have been wronged by the painfully slow process of repayment.

Original von J. Gary Wise
So, before I go to sleep, a few quick thoughts on this.

1) It’s an admirable way to do business. Ivey has a lot at stake at the WSOP, including a reported $5 million in bracelet bets (many of them with people at TiltWare. I’m guessing he’s declared said bets null and void somehow) and a lot of brand growth/exposure opportunity. The man’s on the brink of the all-time bracelet discussion and the .77 bracelets per year he’s been winning since 2002 could only add to that, so good for him.

2) He’s putting a lot of friendships in jeopardy. He’s done business and camaraderie with the TiltWare people for a long time. He’s become a man in their company in those years since the business formed and found his success with them. Those are hard people to alienate in anyone’s life.

3) This is one hell of a savvy PR move and deprives Ivey one hell of a lot of headache.

There are aspects of the statement that don’t ring entirely true. His word (as confirmed to me by Brian Balsbaugh) said “I will, as I have for the last six weeks, dedicate the entirety of my time and efforts to finding a solution for those who have been wronged by the painfully slow process of repayment.” Are we to believe Phil’s been depriving himself the pleasures of the craps table, his room at Aria and the assorted luxuries of his life as he works tirelessly to return the monies owed to players? That if he did give all that up, it wasn’t at least in part because the only things waiting for him in those places were awkwardness and constant confrontation? He seems like a pretty stand up guy, but I don’t think so.

No, while I think Phil legitimately feels badly about the situation and has grounds for the lawsuit, I think in part, there was recognition that there was a long series ahead. We saw tonight the reception the FTP poster guys are going to get at WSOP. PokerNews reported that James Bord waited around for John Juanda to give the latter a verbal reaming and threaten him bodily harm. I’m guessing no one–even the mighty Ivey–is immune to that kind of treatment when emotions are running so damn high.

Phil Ivey is human just like everyone else, though obviously more calculating. In one swift motion, he distanced himself from the guys who are taking the heat, made himself look like the selfless hero and avoided what looks to be a pretty miserable series existence. I’m not saying I have a problem with any of that; I just think we need to keep all that in perspective before we call him lord and savior. Let’s see if he shows up at Aria before we do that.