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Phil Ivey announced via Facebook that he was deeply disappointed in Full Tilt Poker for failing to initiate cash outs for their US players. The eight-time WSOP champion sued the room and does not play in this year’s championship. Today’s number one poker player, Full Tilt Poker Pro Phil Ivey, has issued a statement for the first time since Black Friday. Although he is not the kind of player to overuse social media, like Twitter or Facebook, he did use the latter to make his announcement that evoked intense reactions from the poker player society.
[3]Phil Ivey
Ivey’s statement reads as follows:
“For many years, I have been proud to call myself a poker player. This great sport has taken me to places I only imagined going and I have been blessed with much success. It is therefore with deep regret that I believe I am compelled to release the following statement.
I am deeply disappointed and embarrassed that Full Tilt players have not been paid money they are owed. I am equally embarrassed that as a result many players cannot compete in tournaments and have suffered 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.
My name and reputation have been dragged through the mud, through the inactivity and indecision of others and on behalf of all poker players I refuse 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.
I wholeheartedly refuse to accept non-action as to repayment of players funds and I am angered that people who have supported me throughout my career have been treated so poorly.
I sincerely hope this statement will ignite those capable of resolving the problems into immediate action and would like to clarify that until a solution is reached that cements the security of all players, both US and International, I will, as I have for the last six weeks, dedicate the entirety of my time and efforts to finding a solution for those who have been wronged by the painfully slow process of repayment.”
The authenticity of the announcement has been verified by Ivey’s management.