Poker Pro Phil
However, his largest score of 2020 came in January when he finished runner-up in the Borgata Winter Poker Open Event #1: $600 Kick-Off for a career-high $290,000. Poker pro Phil Ivey and a friend will have to repay $10.1 million he won playing baccarat at the Borgata four years ago, a judge ruled. ATLANTIC CITY - A federal judge has ruled that poker star.

Poker legend Phil Ivey would as a rule have been ensconced in Las Vegas this battling it out at the World Series of Poker Main Event (WSOP) week. Instead, Ivey is in London, fighting his appropriate battle to claim £7.7 million ($10 million) in punto banco winnings from London’s tony Crockfords Casino, which he contests has been illegally withheld. The situation reached London’s Supreme Court later last week.
Instead of playing for the $8.15 million top prize in this season’s World Series of Poker Main Event, poker pro Phil Ivey (seen right here after winning the 2008 L.A. Poker Classic) is in London at the Supreme Court, fighting for $10 million from Crockford’s that he says is due him. (Image: WPT)
The top-ranked player’s absence from the WSOP, while notable, is no longer the massive news it when could have been. In reality, since he won his World that is last Series in 2014, he’s only registered for three WSOP activities.
But as yet, he’s never missed the Main Event.
Ivey is fighting the Crockford’s battle for five years, and also a similar instance from Atlantic City’s Borgata.
Edge-Sorting 101
Ivey and their accomplice Kelly Sun ‘won’ the contested sum in 2012 using a practice known as edge-sorting. That is a technique when a player that is skilled in a position to spot tiny discrepancies in the patterns on the backs of playing cards. Ivey and Sun requested a particular type of Gemaco cards to aid them in this, knowing historically that there were hard-to-spot manufacturing defects on them.
While at no point did they tamper utilizing the cards, they did ask the dealer to turn particular cards 180 degrees during play, which they explained away during the time as being a superstitious quirk.
In reality, they were instructing an unwitting dealer to sort the deck into two groups of favorable and unfavorable cards, which could then be identified by the backs, moving chances into the players’ favor. Crockfords later studied surveillance video, decided they were cheating, and withheld the funds, which they had promised to wire to Ivey.
Ivey and Sun subsequently sued.
Battle of Two Dictionaries
The judge in a lower appellate court, in ruling against Ivey in November last year, described the poker player as an ‘honest’ witness, in the feeling that Ivey truly believed he was not breaking the rules. This prompted Ivey to question how there can be this kind of thing as an ‘honest cheat.’
Ivey’s lawyer, Richard Spearman QC, dubbed the case ‘the Battle regarding the Dictionaries’ on Thursday.
That’s because the Ivey camp uses the Oxford English Dictionary (1989) definition of ‘to cheat’ (”to deal fraudulently, practice deceit’), while Crockfords’ utilizes the newer Concise Oxford English Dictionary definition (‘to operate dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage’).
‘We say we now have won that because we have the better dictionary,’ quipped Spearman at the hearing. ‘There is no finding at all that Mr. Ivey had been dishonest in every sense,’ he added. ‘He ended up being found to be a witness that is honest didn’t believe what he was doing was dishonest. He contends he’s entitled to be paid his winnings because edge-sorting is a legitimate advantage play technique.’
The case continues.
Ivey’s Poker Acumen
Rated since the fourth-highest tournament that is live of all of the time by record-tracker Hendon Mob, Ivey’s winnings in that arena total just upwards of $23,800,000 in lifetime cashes. But in current years, he’s largely abandoned tournament play in support of super high-roller money games, mostly in Macau and at the nosebleed private Bobby’s Room into the Bellagio poker room in Las Vegas.
His biggest tournament that is recent had been at the 2015 Aussie Millions in Melbourne, Australia, where he took down a prize of US$1,710, 854 within the APPT US$191K + $3,900K LK Boutique Challenge against simply 24 other elite players.
Philadelphia’s Live! Hotel & Casino task remains in legal limbo, as a lawsuit continues to block the venue from license finalization and continue to break ground.
State Rep. Scott Petri wants Pennsylvania to quickly approve a 2nd downtown philadelphia casino hoping of delivering much-needed tax revenue to federal government coffers. But state gaming antitrust measures are keeping construction from moving forward on Live! (Image: Larry Roberts/Post-Gazette)
The issue that is main trying to find out whether businessman Watche ‘Bob’ Manoukian, who owns a controlling 86 percent stake within the nearby Parx Casino, is permitted to additionally hold an interest in Live! The state’s gaming act forbids investors and groups that are financial exceeding a 33.3 % stake in numerous video gaming ventures.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) recently announced that a hearing that is public the problem are held on July 31 in Harrisburg.
Per the Race Horse developing and Gaming Act, ‘No slot machine licensee, its affiliate, intermediary, subsidiary or holding company may possess an ownership or economic interest that is greater than 33.3 per cent of another local machine licensee.’
That presents a problem for the Philadelphia casino project, which can be a joint partnership between Cordish Companies and Green Racing, the latter owned by Manoukian. The businessman may be the president of HCBS Bank Armenia, and he holds investments in genuine estate, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and hospitality.
The $450 million Live! resort is planned to be built on a plot that is nine-acre of adjacent to the Philadelphia Sports Complex. The plans necessitate a 325,000-square-foot casino floor, plus a 18-story hotel.
SugarHouse Casino is currently the gambling that is only with a Philadelphia address, but Parx is less than 20 miles northeast in Bensalem, and Harrah’s Philadelphia is just 15 miles southwest in Chester.
Dissecting Ownership
Stadium Casino, LLC, the venture between Cordish and Greenwood, received a Category 2 gaming license in of 2014 november. It still requires final approval from the PGCB.
That’s being blocked by a challenge that is legal forth by a bidder who destroyed out on winning the Philadelphia license. Market East Associates, the entity that unsuccessfully applied for the permit, is behind the lawsuit. SugarHouse Gaming has accompanied the litigation as well.
The plaintiffs are challenging Manoukian’s ownership, with the goal being that the PGCB will revoke Stadium Casino’s permit. So far, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has sided on the challengers’ part, mandating that the PGCB continue steadily to seek additional information regarding Manoukian’s stake.
Stadium Casino says Manoukian’s ownership is through an ‘irrevocable trust’ that he wouldn’t control or be able to touch. Rather, the investment vehicle would be earmarked for a beneficiary, and he would be described as a hands-off owner.
The complicated structure that is financial why the legal challenge has lagged on for almost three years. On July 31, the two sides will as soon as again make their cases to your gaming board.
Bill Introduced
Throwing yet more fuel on the fire, State Representative Scott Petri (R-Bucks) believes the one-third ownership clause into the video gaming act needs to be repealed. The chairman for the Pennsylvania House Gaming Oversight Committee, Petri has introduced legislation to abolish the regulation and enable investors to have controlling stakes in multiple gambling venues.
‘It’s crucial that you finally end litigation on this Philly license,’ Petri explained previously this month. He added that the state is losing down on tens of vast amounts in unseen tax income through the live that is as-yet-unbuilt casino project.
A Category 2 license costs a one-time $50 million upfront fee. The lawsuit has held up finalizing it, including that payment although that license has been approved by the PGCB.
The British Open tees off on Thursday at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, and it’s a familiar cast that’s receiving top billing at Las Vegas sportsbooks.
Dustin Johnson’s (right) game has cooled down this summer, permitting challengers like Jordan Spieth to get up to the frontrunner heading into the Uk Open. (Image: AFP)
The world’s top ranked player, comes with the shortest odds for the third consecutive major, Dustin Johnson. But at 12-1, he’s somewhat long compared to his lines at the Masters and US Open.
A summer that is disappointing led oddsmakers to lengthen DJ’s line, and that’s likely an attractive development to numerous bettors in Nevada. Jordan Spieth, who won during the Travelers earlier last month, is also at 12-1, per the Westgate SuperBook.
Masters champ Sergio Garcia, fan favorite Ricky Fowler, and star that is budding Rahm round out the most truly effective five with their odds at 15-1.
The last Open Championship at Royal Birkdale came ultimately back in 2008 whenever Padraig Harrington won his second Claret that is consecutive Jug. The back-to-back feat came a year after Paddy became a major champion at Carnoustie. This Harrington is at 125-1 week.
The Open, the oldest of the four majors, goes back to 1860.
Mickelson-Stenson Rematch? Odds Say No
The 2016 Open ended up being one of the best duels in the tournament’s storied history. Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson joined Sunday separated by just one single shot, making use of their competitor that is nearest five back.
It quickly became apparent that the day would be a two-horse race. By the time they reached the tee that is fifth they were tied at -14 and nine shots https://1xbetwebsite.ru/ clear of third. Stenson would go on to shoot 63 to Mickelson’s 65, and win at -20, accurate documentation score.
Fast forward to today, and bettors apparently do not have faith that is much of back-to-back winner at Birkdale. The SuperBook has Stenson at 25-1.
Mickelson has played some good tennis over the previous couple of years, but he hasn’t won since 2013. The success came only at that week’s major championship, when Lefty took the title at Muirfield. Ironically, Stenson came in second place that week, losing by three shots, the margin that is same would win by in 2016.
For 2017, Mickelson is at 30-1 to win his Claret that is second Jug. It will be his first major with brother Tim regarding the bag, after ending their long relationship with Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay last month.
Bettors Licking Chops
The British Open chances present many opportunities for bettors willing to take some risk.
One enticing line comes from Rory McIlroy. Once a perennial favorite at majors, the 2014 Open winner is at 20-1. Now ranked # 4 into the world, McIlroy is winless in 2017. Hideki Matsuyama, golf’s second rated player and the runner up at last month’s US Open, is also at 20-1.
US Open champ Brooks Koepka’s powerful game may not lend it self to links tennis, as he is at 30-1 to win his second major in as numerous tries.
As for the longshots, longer John Daly found the champion’s group for the first-time on the Champions Tour earlier this season. But don’t look for him become victorious this week. The 1995 Open winner is at 1000-1.
The longest odds (3000-1) are on 59-year-old Sandy Lyle, the 1985 Open winner that is using his second to last year of eligibility (past champions aged 60 and under immediately qualify).
Goa, India’s controversial new floating casino, MV Lucky 7, failed to live up to its name on Sunday night when it ran aground on a sandbank off Miramar Beach during rough weather.
Beached whale: Gopal Kanda’s MV Lucky 7 strikes a snag on its way to Panaji City. (Image: NDTV.com)
According to Indian news, the local coast guard ended up being forced to rescue four crew members, one of whom was injured, while the other three had been struggling with serious sea nausea. Fifteen other crew members did maybe not need assistance and stayed on board.
The ship was on its solution to the Mandovi River, where it planned to anchor and open for business as ‘Big Daddy Casino,’ Goa’s sixth gambling operation that is floating.
But the incident has triggered a monsoon that is political India.
Controversial Owner
There had been a backlash against MV Lucky 7. Opposition events and local anti-gambling teams highly opposed the Goan government’s licensing regarding the casino, especially following the revelation that it ended up being owned by businessman and minister that is former the state of Haryana, Gopal Kanda.
Kanda had been arrested in 2012 following the suicide Geetika Sharma, an air-hostess at Kanda’s MDLR airlines. Sharma named Kanda inside her suicide note, claiming harassment.
Kanda resigned from his ministerial post and was subsequently arrested on charges of aiding and suicide that is abetting sexual exploitation, although the situation was later fallen.
Criminal Negligence?
Now, MV Lucky 7 is accused of negligence and of placing profit before safety by attempting to sail to the Mandovi River at a time when the sandbar area is closed to navigation until due to the monsoon season september.
‘The casino (ship) is stuck. Its owner should be arrested immediately,’ said Girish Chodankar regarding the local Indian National Congress opposition celebration. ‘An attempt ended up being made to generate the casino up the river illegally by pressuring the Captain of Ports.
‘If that diesel (265 gallons) is spilled, then it would affect the environment adversely. Whom must be held accountable?’
All of Goa’s floating casinos are in line with the Mandovi River where it moves through Panaji City, their state’s capital. But also if MV Lucky 7 had caused it to be there on this trip that is fateful it mightn’t be sticking around for long.
With the NFL that is first preseason less than three weeks away, Las Vegas sportsbooks are scrambling to spruce up and acquire ready for throngs of football bettors. In 2016, the facilities took in $4.6 billion, making for an increasingly competitive market, and an ambiance geared towards luring as much customers as possible is obviously key.
The Westgate LV SuperBook has set a high bar for other Las Vegas sportsbooks, with several other resorts upgrading to attract more bettors. (Image: EDGeVegas)
Wynn Bets Big
You have to pay cash to create cash, as the old saying goes, and the biggest splash this season in improvements ended up being made by Wynn Las Vegas, which will be overhauling its own sports gambling area, and adding one in the neighboring Encore because well. The Wynn will be getting seating that is new and an updated video screen system, that is anticipated to open August 1.
Bettors remaining at Encore previously had to walk up to the Wynn to place bets, but no longer. The new Encore sportsbook won’t be as impressive as its sis property, but are far more convenient, plus it opens up August 8.
The Cromwell is also getting a sportsbook that is new. The boutique resort converted a 1,500-square-foot space that formally housed high-limit slot machines and is making it as a wagering area. It will be small, but about 50 seats will be available.
Keeping Up With The Joneses
The two-year renovation regarding the Westgate’s Las Vegas Superbook, completed in January 2016, set a new standard for these establishments. The property that is off-strip $13 million to completely transform its room.
New fabric seats had been installed and a meals court ended up being placed in close proximity. A VIP area had been also added. The biggest change were the all-important event-viewing medium: televisions. Light-emitting Diode screens measuring 220 feet wide by 18 feet tall and spaning the entire sports book venue were installed.
The screens are 60 legs wider than the video board hanging from the roof at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, house of the Dallas Cowboys, and larger than the movie displays in New York City’s Times Square.
Strip gambling enterprises took notice and started to make their own changes, starting this past year. Caesars Palace replaced new state-of-the-art monitors to its video screens and Harrah’s also place in new televisions and seats.
The Time is Right
This is the perfect time associated with the year for renovations, with the only major professional sport in the summer baseball that is being. Additionally, there are a handful of special activities, such as for instance the just-wrapped-up Wimbledon, the usa Open, while the occasional UFC or match that is boxing.
That will all change on 3, when the Dallas Cowboys face the Arizona Cardinals in the Hall of Fame game august. The competition, played in Canton, Ohio, kicks off the preseason that is three-week, and despite having starting players only utilized sparingly, should generate action at the gambling windows.
Plus the crowds will only get heavier when the regular season and college football get underway.
Table Of Contents
The COVID-19 pandemic decimated live tournament poker in 2020. There were several events in January and February before things shut down in March, and from August onward there were a spattering of events to be had in states that would allow it. Through the limited schedule, a handful of players managed to strike it big including Florida’s Ricardo Eyzaguirre.
The 31-year-old originally from Lima, Peru, was one of 2020’s breakout stars. He enjoyed a career year winning $434,771 including two big wins at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida, which recently played host to the 2021 Lucky Hearts Poker Open.
First, he took down the $1,100 October Anniversary Special for $46,000 and a month later won the $1,100 November Holiday Special for $47,000. However, his largest score of 2020 came in January when he finished runner-up in the Borgata Winter Poker Open Event #1: $600 Kick-Off for a career-high $290,000.
“My greatest accomplishment to date would be my first six-figure score at Borgata at the beginning of the year,” Eyzaguirre said. “It really felt like my hard work paid off and I was really anxious and working hard to reach that goal.”
14 Years as a Professional
Eyzaguirre immigrated to the United States with his mother and three brothers when he was just 10 years old. Now, two decades later, he is a father to two children of his own – Ricardo Jr. and Violet. He first learned to play poker at the age of 18 in his brother’s home game, and from there he visited local casinos in the Miami area.
“I’ve been playing poker professionally for about 14 years,” he told PokerNews. “For the first 10 years, I only played cash games in south and central Florida. Then, in about 2015, I started playing tournaments.”
Indeed, in addition to a full tournament schedule, Eyzaguirre dukes it out at $2-$5 and $5-$10 no-limit hold’em cash game tables as well as some high-stakes pot-limit Omaha online.
“I’m a very dedicated person and I’m very goal-driven,” he said. “2020 was defiantly a weird and troubling year although I feel like it was my breakout year and when all my hard work significantly paid off. With COVID hurting the whole world and so much suffering it is hard to call it a great year, but I’m definitely thankful for my scores and look forward to working as hard as I can to have many other years like this one in the future.”
Seeking More WSOP Gold
Like many others, Eyzaguirre has a goal of winning a World Series of Poker bracelet, which would go nicely with his pair of gold rings. Back in 2017, he won the WSOP Circuit Harrah’s Cherokee Event #7: $365 Monster Stack for $74,853, and two years later in December 2019 he won Event #13: $400 NLH Double Stack for $31,386 at the same venue.
Poker Phil Hellmuth
“I’m a very competitive person,” Eyzaguirre revealed. “I really enjoy playing poker as a career and working on my trade. I attribute my success this year to studying, hard work, dedication, and perseverance.”
He concluded: “Lastly, I have a very tight family I want to thank my mother for being the best mom I can ask for and always being for me to support me. I’m looking forward to playing a lot and learning a lot this year so hopefully, PokerNews will be seeing a lot more of me. I’m going to give it all I got!
Poker Phil Gordon
For those looking to follow Eyzaguirre’s poker journey, you can follow him on Twitter @ricardoeyz222.
Poker Pro Phil Laak
*Images courtesy of WSOP and Seminole Hard Rock.
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