Comment by ebiester
11 years ago
Now, what I don't understand is that Phil Ivey is one of the top 5 poker players in the world. He depends on action in many of these casinos, some of whom will no longer even allow him on the premises.
He's endangering his own livelyhood. Is he so far in debt that it's necessary? Did he blow his bankroll and then some? What's the backstory that he's willing to risk this much?
Now, Binion's is going to allow him in the WSOP, but how much action will he lose?
Most of his action these days is in Macau. Also, a significant portion of Ivey-level action in Las Vegas takes place in the Ivey room at Aria. I seriously doubt they will bar him from playing in the room that literally bears his name. He wasn't cheating, and I don't think this will seriously impact his playing opportunities.
"When you're smart, people need you." - Real Genius
I would bet that on average, any given casino wants Ivey more than he wants them, because he's a draw, and there are more casinos than super-famous poker players.
Particularly with poker, where the house has no stake in the game itself.