Nicknamed as the “Tiger Wood of Poker,” Phil Ivey almost matches the achievements of the golfer, but in a different industry. The American has won ten bracelets in World Series of Poker (WSOP), which have contributed to his overall net worth. Various sources have estimated Ivey’s net value to be beyond US$100 million.
There’s no doubt that Ivey has monopolized the poker industry since making his debut in the late ‘90s. However, the star is not new to controversies in various stages of his life. While a teenager, it’s alleged that Ivey faked an ID card bearing the name “Jerome” for him to gain access to poker dens. In fact, his initial nickname was “No Home Jerome” before he finally acquired “The Tiger Wood of Poker” in 2002 following the three bracelets he conquered that year.
“Edge Sorting” scheme was the genesis of the problem
Ivey is currently fighting legal battles that will continue to see his winnings being taken by a poker firm. Ivey must have come to terms with the popular saying that “life begins at 40.” The poker sensational celebrated his fourth decade on the planet just two years ago, but lawsuits are trailing him are making his career to appear dim. The Atlantic Casino, the Borgata successfully managed to garnish Ivey’s winnings in the 2019 World Series of Poker.
Ivey’s predicaments began in 2012 when Borgata Casino leveled a lawsuit against him for cheating in a game. This was after Ivey, and his group managed to employ falsified tactics in a private baccarat game. During that conspiracy, it’s alleged that Ivey made several ‘special” requests that saw him rack up more than US$ 10 million worth of winnings.
The poker star would then go to Britain where he used the same “dirty tactics,” but he wasn’t lucky as the law caught up with him. He was arraigned in court for the offense of manipulating a London casino dealer into allowing him to perfect his “edge sorting” tactics. It’s understood that Ivey used “superstition” as a scapegoat to convince the dealer to rotate the cards in play in 180 degrees. This tactic gave the American player an advantage over other players as he could notice the difference in cards. He lost the London case that consequently dealt him a blow as he wasn’t paid the over US$ 11 million winnings.
Borgata finally outwitted Ivey
The skills that someone born in Las Vegas and perfected his casino skills in New Jersey state cannot be underestimated. The two states that made Ivey nourish in the Poker ring are now in the glimpse of seeing his downfall. In 2016, the Nevada court ordered Ivey to return his fraudulent winnings, but Ivey’s attorneys argued that the lump sum amount was massive and could destabilize the profession of their client.
Flushdraw reported that Borgata took a unique measure of reaching Caesar Entertainment back in July. Ivey was able to accumulate US$1 124400 after finishing eighth in the Day 3 of the PPC. However, his winnings were frozen in mid-July before Caesar Entertainment issued the check to the US Marshal Service. The Marina District Development Co, which runs Borgata Casino, was also able to secure permission to obtain winnings of Ivey in future involvements.
Caesar Entertainment was acting on the order of a court in New Jersey, which had issued a ruling deemed as the end of Ivey’s poker career. Ivey won’t have the luxury of receiving his winnings in both New Jersey and Nevada states, and the trend could continue throughout the entire country. Though Ivey’s net worth is considered to be in the region of US$ 100 million, the poker magician couldn’t be having liquid cash to settle the court demand. Not only in the two state where Ivey won’t be able to see his winnings but throughout the North America region. Where else will he play after soiling his reputation in London?
