02/06/2011, Poker Tournaments

Phil Ivey is an American professional poker player, regarded by most of the poker fans as the best all-around player in the world today, winner of eight WSOP bracelets and one World Poker Tour title. He plays exclusively on Full Tilt Poker, together with other big poker pros such as Chris Ferguson and Howard Lederer.

The poker legend has decided not to compete in the 2011 World Series of Poker and he announced he wants to boycott the WSOP as a sign of solidarity with the US Full Tilt customers who are still waiting to receive their money back.

Last Tuesday, Phil Ivey told his fans via Facebook that he was extremely embarrassed and disappointed by Full Tilt Poker. He said he was equally embarrassed that many players would not be able to compete in tournaments because Full Tilt Poker caused them economic harm.

“I am not playing in the World Series of Poker as I do not believe it is fair that I compete when others cannot. I am doing everything I can to seek a solution to the problem as quickly as possible,” he said.

Ivey thinks his name and reputation have been “dragged through the mud, through the inactivity and indecision of others” and on behalf of all poker players, he refuses to remain silent any longer. “I have electronically filed a lawsuit against Tiltware related to the unsettled player accounts. As I am sure the public can imagine, this was not an easy decision for me,” he said.

Ivey's statement was further confirmed when he didn't make his appearance in the $25,000 Heads-Up Championship yesterday. The poker player confirmed he has filled suit against Tiltware, seeking damages in excess of $150 million.