Phil Ivey sits out World Series of Poker

ESPN.com news services


Phil Ivey says he's sitting out the World Series of Poker and has sued Tiltware, the software and marketing provider for Full Tilt Poker, over its failure to reimburse online player accounts in the wake of the federal online poker sting.

"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," Ivey, who has played online on Full Tilt and appeared in the company's TV commercials, said in a statement posted on his website.

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Phil Ivey, widely regarded as one of the game's best players, says he will not participate in the World Series of Poker.
"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.


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Good for him. I think it's shitty as well. I'm no hard core gamer or anything, but I've got a little bit of money tied up in Full Tilt. I never had it there expecting to gain a fortune...but I started small and figured whatever I made could eventually be extra money. I'd gone from about $15 to almost $250 in about a year. Would be nice to be able to take that money out (which I could previously do at my choosing through PayPal or my bank account). Now it's just sitting there in limbo.

Glad someone with his stature in the poker gaming community has our backs.