Ivey Sues Tiltware

Poker News on Edge: Ivey Boycotts WSOP; Sues Tiltware

Phil Ivey Boycotts WSOP

 

The poker world has been buzzing like bees on steroids since April when the dark clouds known as Black Friday engulfed online poker. Now, it is at fever pitch once again as Phil Ivey announced he will be sitting out the biggest poker tournament of the year, the World Series Of Poker.

On May 30th Ivey posted this announcement on his website stating the reasons behind his decision:

“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.”

Ivey hired Las Vegas lawyer and poker player David Z. Chesnoff to file his lawsuit in the District Court of Clark County, Nevada. Ivey is not the first poker Pro Chesnoff has represented and is known for being just as comfortable in a courtroom as he is in a poker room, having been a high limit player for several years at the Bellagio.

At the core of Ivey’s lawsuit is his Full Tilt contract which he wants nullified so he can pursue other business opportunities, the lawsuit states that the Plaintiff (Ivey) has been financially damaged by lost income, damage to his personal and professional reputation and damaged by lost business opportunities, all totaling over $150,000,000.

Titlware responded to Ivey’s lawsuit on Wednesday, June 1st with this statement:

“Contrary to his sanctimonious public statements, Phil Ivey’s meritless lawsuit is about helping just one player – himself. In an effort to further enrich himself at the expense of others, Mr. Ivey appears to have timed his lawsuit to thwart pending deals with several parties that would put money back in players’ pockets. In fact, Mr. Ivey has been invited -- and has declined -- to take actions that could assist the company in these efforts, including paying back a large sum of money he owes the site. Tiltware doubts Mr. Ivey’s frivolous and self-serving lawsuit will ever get to court. But if it does, the company looks forward to presenting facts demonstrating that Mr. Ivey is putting his own narrow financial interests ahead of the players he professes to help.”

It looks like Ivey’s next big poker battle won’t be held on the green felt - but in the legal arena of Las Vegas.

Full Tilt Remains Silent

And still has player's funds locked up!

It has been almost 2 months to the day since Black Friday hit.  PokerStars has paid out all player accounts in the USA to our knowledge.  Absolute Poker and UB Poker have issued statements but nothing has been resolved in the form of player's receiving their account funds.  Through it all, Full Tilt simply remains silent other than a post now and then on the twoplustwo forums from Full Tilt Doug who, according to Gambling911, states that Quadjacks.com has determined is none other than Michele Clayborne, Howard Lederer's personal assistant.