The huge £7.7m ‘edge sorting’ High Court case has seen casino operator Genting Casinos UK successfully fight a claim from major poker player Phil Ivey for unpaid winnings.
Ivey won the sum in a two day period in 2012 at Genting’s Crockfords Club in London playing Punto Banco, but the casino refused to pay out when it realised that he had been ‘edge sorting’ – exploiting a tiny flaw in the playing cards that helped him guess the card’s value.
The casino told the court that this strategy circumvented the premise of the game and therefore was not liable for the ‘winnings’. It seems the judge agreed and rejected Ivey’s claim.
Ivey said via spokesman: “I am obviously disappointed with this judge’s decision. As I said in court, it is not my nature to cheat and I would never do anything to risk my reputation. I am pleased that the judge acknowledged in court that I was a truthful witness. I believe that what we did was a legitimate strategy and we did nothing more than exploit Crockfords’ failures to take proper steps to protect themselves against a player of my ability. Clearly today the judge did not agree.”
A spokesman for Crockfords said: “Crockfords is pleased with the judgment of the high court today, supporting its defence of a claim by Ivey. It is our policy not to discuss our clients’ affairs in public and we very much regret that proceedings were brought against us. We attach the greatest importance to our exemplary reputation for fair, honest and professional conduct and today’s ruling vindicates the steps we have taken in this matter.”