Card Player – 
Professional gambler Phil Ivey has admitted to playing with an unusual advantage in a game of punto banco at a London casino last year. Ivey took the property for $12.1 million, but it refused to pay after suspecting something shady had happened.
The Daily Mail reported Saturday that court documents show Ivey has said he was able to read the cards, but maintains that it was the casino’s fault for allowing the opportunity to arise and that what he did isn’t considered cheating. He still wants his money.
The flaws in the cards reportedly occurred during the manufacturing process. Ivey and a Chinese woman who he was playing with reportedly never touched the cards. Ivey’s companion reportedly was able to notice the flaws in the cards and alerted Ivey.
Court documents of Ivey’s claim state:
“During the second session on August 20 [Mr Ivey] made various requests for decks of cards to be changed at the end of hands with which [Crockfords] chose to comply.
This continued until Kelly [Ivey’s companion] identified a deck or decks of cards where the pattern on the reverse side of the cards was asymmetrical.”
Ivey was betting £50,000 a hand at first, before asking the casino to raise the maximum bet to £150,000. The casino did refund his initial £1 million stake.
In May, Ivey released a statement when it was announced that he would be seeking legal action against Britain’s oldest casino, which is owned by Maylasian gaming firm Genting.
“I am deeply saddened that Crockfords has left me no alternative but to proceed with legal action, following its decision to withhold my winnings,” Ivey said. “I have much respect for Gentings, which has made this a very difficult decision for me. Over the years I have won and lost substantial sums at Crockfords and I have always honoured my commitments. At the time, I was given a receipt for my winnings but Crockfords subsequently withheld payment. I, therefore, feel I have no alternative but to take legal action.”
Ivey, a nine-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, has won more than $30 million from live tournaments and online poker during his illustrious career.
Punto banco is a form of baccarat.
