Phil Ivey Not Playing in this Year’s World Series of Poker?

I don’t know about you, but to me this picture looks…. not very amused. When you think about it, between the US crackdowns, the slow (and in some cases non existent) payments from poker sites, and the failure of the US government to regulate and tax poker (who needs billions in poker revenue anyway? it isn’t like we’re in a recession,) there isn’t much call for delight in the poker world as of late. As such, I find that stern, disappointed look on the face of poker darling Phil Ivey to be apropos. Even so, I still found Ivey’s announcement to be a bit of a shocker:

I am not playing in the World Series of Poker as I do not believe it is fair that I compete when others cannot.

Wow. Wasn’t expecting that. If you know anything about poker, you know that Phil Ivey’s face is an iconic image representing poker itself. Although I am sure there are many players cheering this decision (I mean really, you want those eyes staring you down when all you have is a pair of jacks?) it is, in my opinion, a blow to poker. I applaud Ivey’s decision to sacrifice his tournament season for what he believes in, I just wish it didn’t have to be done…

Writter by guest blogger Sandy Novotny

Read Ivey’s press release on the matter at philivey.com.

Related posts:

1. World Series of Poker Begins Tuesday
2. According to Phil Ivey….

Tags: Phil Ivey, wsop