LONDON — Ten-time World Series of Poker winner Phil Ivey has lost his case against a British casino he accused of improperly withholding his winnings.
Britain's High Court ruled Wednesday that Genting Casinos UK does not have to pay him the 7.7 million pounds ($12.4 million) he was seeking.
The casino's lawyers convinced the court that Ivey's used of "edge sorting" tactics was not legitimate and that the casino did not have to pay. The casino said he essentially kept track of card values by watching for design imperfections on the backs of the cards.
The 38-year-old Ivey said he was disappointed with the ruling. He claims he won the money during two days of playing baccarat at Crockfords, a Mayfair casino that is part of the Genting group, in August 2012.
Ivey told "60 Minutes Sports" that there is a difference between increasing one's odds and cheating.
"I'm viewing the casino as my opponent," he said. "It's my job to try to exploit weaknesses in the house and try to give myself the best opportunity to win."
In addition to Crockfords, the Borgata in Atlantic City says Ivey cheated it out of millions of dollars when he played baccarat there in 2012. The Borgata is suing Ivey to recoup $9.6 million it paid him in winnings
The poker star said the casinos agreed to certain conditions that gave him an advantage before he agreed to gamble with a few million dollars.
He asked for a specific brand of playing cards, a shuffling machine, an Asian dealer and that the same card decks be used. The casinos granted all of those requests. Ivey said each of those conditions was used to get an edge, including bringing a companion with him who spoke Mandarin who could communicate with the dealer. The shuffling machine, for example, would keep the cards in a certain order, he said.
But casino officials said in court filings that they were under the impression Ivey's conditions were based on superstition and not to gain an advantage.
Officials with The Borgata and Crockfords didn't participate in the television interview because the companies don't comment on pending litigation.
"Some people believe that it was cheating," Ivey said. "I know it wasn't. The professional gamblers know it's not. I wouldn't do anything close to cheating. I mean, my reputation is everything in gambling."
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