Phil Ivey, the most recognizable face in poker and regarded by most as the best player in the world, has released a statement that he will not be playing in the 2011 World Series of Poker (WSOP) and is suing Tiltware. Ivey has won eight WSOP bracelets and $5.3 million in WSOP tournament winnings.
In his statement, Ivey said that he is not playing because of Full Tilt Poker’s inability to issue repayments to American players and their extremely poor handling of the situation. He said that because of this, “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.”
He states that he has electronically filed a lawsuit against Tiltware, though where and in what jurisdiction is unclear. Ivey will apparently sit out all 58 events of the 2011 WSOP: “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,” he said.
Tom Dwan tweeted, “I’ll be playing wsop. Feel fine about that morally b/c I’ve already said I’ll give back 100% I was paid by ftp if players aren’t paid in full.” Dwan has been a Full Tilt sponsored poker pro for years. While Dwan has become somewhat outspoken about Full Tilt’s money problems, Ivey is condemning the company, which he helped found, for its handling of repayments. While Full Tilt has struggled to make any payments at all, PokerStars has issued $100 million back to its players.
Ivey was notably absent from the WSOP’s first big tournament, the $25,000 Heads Up Championship. Despite Black Friday, the Heads Up Championship generated a record prize pool of $3 million, with $851,192 going to first place. This is the largest prize pool for a heads up tournament, but the only topic of conversation was Phil Ivey’s absence.
Below is the Phil Ivey’s full statement:
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 Bovada 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.