Phil Ivey Gets Chance to Overturn Crockfords Ruling

November 30th, 2015 | by Kaycee James

Phil Ivey granted an appeal in his £7.8 million ($11.7 million) legal battle against London’s Crockfords Casino. (Image: gambling101.info)

Phil Ivey, the master poker player and high stakes gambler, has been given another shot at £7.8 million ($11.7 million) in cash thanks to a London judge.

Despite being case that stretches back to August 2012, Ivey could still get his hands on a significant bankroll boost if he can convince a High Court in London that he didn’t cheat Crockfords Casino out of almost £8 million ($12 million).

The root of Ivey’s disagreement with London’s mist exclusive live casino venue occurred after he won a large amount of money playing punto banco.

Playing with a partner, Ivey went on a positive run that saw him win seven figures before calling time on his session.

Edge Sorting is Not Cheating

Unfortunately for Ivey, the casino suspected the poker player had used illicit tactics to dupe the dealer and opted not to release his winnings.

A court battle ensued and it transpired that Ivey has managed to exploit a manufacturing defect on the playing cards by using a technique known as edge sorting.

Maintaining that his strategy wasn’t a form of cheating, Ivey battled the casino in court but ultimately lost his claim to the major haul.

Not content to let the casino steal the pot without trying his hand one more time, Ivey’s legal team lodged an appeal that was recently accepted by a High Court judge.

In reviewing the case, the judge explained that it raised a number of legal issues regarding the relationship between casinos, their customers and what should be defined as “cheating.” At the heart of Ivey’s appeal is that cheating involves dishonesty and he was never dishonest at any point.

Although Ivey’s previous attempts to convince a judge that edge sorting wasn’t a form of cheating were unsuccessful, the judge who granted his appeal now believes the poker pro has a very real chance of “success.”

Ivey Maintains His Innocence

As for Ivey, he’s naturally pleased with the recent decision, but reconfirmed to the Daily Mail that he has never cheated in his life and simply used his skills to get the upper-hand on the casino.

“When you are a professional gambler you are always looking for ways to gain an advantage over the casino. It’s their job to prevent me from having any advantage. Sometimes I come out on top, sometimes they do,” said Ivey.

While Ivey will now have his sights set on the December 10 hearing in London, he will also have one eye on his ongoing case against Atlantic City’s Borgata casino.

In an identical turn of events, Ivey has found himself fighting to claim the $9 million he won using edge sorting techniques around the same time.

The Borgata has previously used the London ruling as part of its defense; however, if that decision is overturned that it could put a major dent in the Borgata’s legal case.