Accomplished gambler and noted professional poker player Phil Ivey was denied a payout of £7.8 million by a London casino last year, and the Daily Mail says that is because he is suspected of exploiting a card manufacturer’s error to read the back of the cards.
As we shared with you last year, Ivey won £7.8 million playing a game called Punto Blanco at Crockfords, an upscale, private casino in London. Though he initially lost around $800,000 at the game, Ivey and a female companion went on a hot streak over the rest of his first night and the next two nights.
Ivey requested that the casino deposit the money into his bank account. They initially agreed to the payout, but they changed their mind after learning that Ivey’s partner had her membership revoked from another casino. They only returned his $1.6 million bankroll.
Investigators were flown in to speak with the casino’s employees and review surveillance tapes. Now the Daily Mail is explaining what the casino believes was going on.
Crockfords believes Ivey and his partner were reading the back of the cards, which they say were flawed due to a manufacturer’s error during the cutting process. Apparently the backs of all the cards did not have a full geometric pattern like they’re supposed to, which allowed Ivey and his friend to read the cards. They started off gambling £50,000 per hand and later tripled that amount.
Ivey’s partner reportedly convinced the dealers to hold up the cards and give them a full 180 degree look at the cards. They also reportedly convinced the casino to reuse the same cards the next day, which is a departure from the typical practice of destroying cards after sessions.
Ivey’s partner, who is also from Las Vegas, reportedly teamed with a few others to win over a million dollars at casino using the same method. They had their payout withheld by the casino, and the gaming commission upheld the decision.
Ivey says he did nothing illegal and is suing to get the money. Do you think he should get it?
