
Poker legend Phil Ivey would normally 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 legal 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 scenario reached London’s Supreme Court week that is late last.
Instead of playing for the $8.15 million top prize in this present year’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 ten dollars million that he states is due him from Crockford’s. (Image: WPT)
The top-ranked player’s absence from the WSOP, while notable, is no longer the huge news it once could have been. In fact, since he won his World that is last Series in 2014, he’s just registered for three WSOP events.
But so far, he’s never missed the Main Event.
Ivey happens to be fighting the Crockford’s battle for 5 years, along with a case that is similar Atlantic City’s Borgata.
Edge-Sorting 101
Ivey and his accomplice Kelly Sun ‘won’ the contested sum in 2012 making use of a training known as edge-sorting. This might be a technique when a player that is skilled able to spot tiny discrepancies in the patterns on the backs of playing cards. Ivey and Sun requested a particular kind of Gemaco cards to help them in this, knowing historically that there were hard-to-spot manufacturing defects on them.
While at no point did they tamper with all the cards, they did ask the dealer to turn certain cards 180 degrees during play, which they explained away at the time as a quirk that is superstitious.
In reality, these were instructing an unwitting dealer to sort the deck into two categories of favorable and unfavorable cards, which could then be identified by the backs, going the odds into the players’ favor. Crockfords later studied surveillance video, decided they were cheating, and withheld the cash, 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 sense 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 so that you can gain an advantage’).
‘We state we’ve won that because we now have the better dictionary,’ quipped Spearman at the hearing. ‘There is no finding at all that Mr. Ivey had been dishonest in almost any sense,’ he added. ‘He ended up being found to be a honest witness who didn’t believe what he was doing was dishonest. He contends he is entitled to be paid his winnings because edge-sorting is a genuine benefit play technique.’
The case continues.
Ivey’s Poker Acumen
Ranked as the fourth-highest tournament that is live of most time by record-tracker Hendon Mob, Ivey’s winnings in that arena total simply upwards of $23,800,000 in lifetime cashes. However in current years, he’s largely abandoned tournament play in favor of super cash that is high-roller, mostly in Macau as well as the nosebleed private Bobby’s Room in the Bellagio poker room in Las Vegas.
His biggest recent tournament gold was at the 2015 Aussie Millions in Melbourne, Australia, where he took down a prize of US$1,710, 854 into the APPT US$191K + $3,900K LK Boutique Challenge against just 24 other elite players.
Fate of Philadelphia Live! Casino Project Still in Limbo as Factions Battle Antitrust Measures
Philadelphia’s Live! Hotel & Casino task remains in appropriate limbo, as a lawsuit continues to block the venue from license finalization and moving forward to break ground.
State Rep. Scott Petri wants Pennsylvania to quickly approve a second downtown philadelphia casino hoping of delivering much-needed tax revenue to government coffers. But state gaming measures that are antitrust keeping construction from moving forward on Live! (Image: Larry Roberts/Post-Gazette)
The issue that is main trying to determine whether businessman Watche ‘Bob’ Manoukian, who owns a controlling 86 percent stake into the nearby Parx Casino, is allowed to also hold an interest in Live! The state’s gaming act prohibits investors and financial teams from exceeding a 33.3 per cent stake in numerous gaming ventures.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) recently announced that a public hearing on the problem will likely be held on July 31 in Harrisburg.
Per the Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, ‘No slot machine licensee, its affiliate, intermediary, subsidiary or holding company may possess an ownership or monetary interest that is greater than 33.3 percent of another neighborhood machine licensee.’
That gift suggestions a problem for the Philadelphia casino project, which is a joint partnership between Cordish Companies and Green Racing, the latter owned by Manoukian. The businessman could be the chairman of HCBS Bank Armenia, and he holds assets in genuine estate, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and hospitality.
The $450 million Live! resort is scheduled to be built on a nine-acre parcel 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 kilometers 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 November of 2014. It still calls for approval that is final the PGCB.
That’s being blocked by a appropriate challenge brought forth by a bidder who lost down on winning the Philadelphia license. Market East Associates, the entity that unsuccessfully used for the permit, is behind the lawsuit. SugarHouse Gaming has joined the litigation as well.
The plaintiffs are challenging Manoukian’s ownership, with the target being that the PGCB will revoke Stadium Casino’s license. So far, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has sided on the challengers’ part, mandating that the PGCB continue to seek more information regarding Manoukian’s stake.
Stadium Casino says Manoukian’s ownership is through an ‘irrevocable trust’ he wouldn’t control or be able to touch. Rather, the investment vehicle would be earmarked for a beneficiary, and he would be a hands-off owner.
The complicated structure that is financial why the appropriate challenge has lagged on for almost three years. On July 31, the 2 sides will as soon as again make their cases to your gaming board.
Bill Introduced
Throwing yet more gas on the fire, State Representative Scott Petri (R-Bucks) thinks the one-third ownership clause in the video gaming work has to be repealed. The chairman associated with 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 vital that you finally end litigation on this Philly license,’ Petri explained early in the day this month. He added that hawaii is losing out on tens of vast amounts in unseen tax income through the as-yet-unbuilt Live! casino project.
A Category 2 license costs a one-time $50 million upfront fee. Although that license has been approved by the PGCB, the lawsuit has organized finalizing it, including that payment.
British Open Odds Favor Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth, Lefty Left Out of Top 10
The British Open tees off on Thursday at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, also it’s a familiar cast that’s receiving top billing at Las Vegas sportsbooks.
Dustin Johnson’s (right) game has cooled off this summer, enabling challengers like Jordan Spieth to зеркало 1xbet (1хбет) bk-info166 xyz catch 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 is likely an attractive development to numerous bettors in Nevada. Jordan Spieth, who won during the Travelers earlier last month, is additionally at 12-1, per the Westgate SuperBook.
Masters champion Sergio Garcia, fan favorite Ricky Fowler, and star that is budding Rahm round out the very best five with their odds at 15-1.
The final Open Championship at Royal Birkdale returned in 2008 when Padraig Harrington won his second Claret that is consecutive Jug. The feat that is back-to-back a year after Paddy became a major champion at Carnoustie. This week, Harrington reaches 125-1.
The Open, the earliest of the four majors, dates back to 1860.
Mickelson-Stenson Rematch? Odds Say No
The 2016 Open ended up being one of the greatest 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 obvious that the day will be a race that is two-horse. By enough time they reached the tee that is fifth they were tied at -14 and nine shots clear of third. Stenson would continue to shoot 63 to Mickelson’s 65, and win at -20, accurate documentation score.
Fast forward to today, and bettors apparently don’t possess much faith of another 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 victory came at this week’s major championship, when Lefty took the title at Muirfield. Ironically, Stenson came in second spot that week, losing by three shots, the same margin he would win by in 2016.
For 2017, Mickelson is at 30-1 to win their Claret that is second Jug. It’ll be his very first major with brother Tim in the bag, after ending their long relationship with Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay month that is last.
Bettors Licking Chops
The British Open odds opportunities that are present many 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 rated #4 in the world, McIlroy is winless in 2017. Hideki Matsuyama, golf’s second player that is ranked 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 many tries.
As for the longshots, Long John Daly found the champion’s circle for the time that is first the Champions Tour earlier this present year. But don’t try to find 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 who’s using his second to year that is last of (previous champions aged 60 and under automatically qualify).
No Goa? Asia’s Newest Floating Casino Runs Into Sand Bank, Crew Members Rescued
Goa, Asia’s controversial new casino that is floating MV Lucky 7, failed to live up to its name on Sunday night whenever it ran aground for a sandbank off Miramar Beach during rough weather.
Beached whale: Gopal Kanda’s MV Lucky 7 strikes a snag on its method to Panaji City. (Image: NDTV.com)
According to Indian news, the coast that is local ended up being forced to rescue four team members, one of whom was injured, while the other three were experiencing severe sea sickness. Fifteen other crew members did perhaps not require assistance and remained on board.
The ship was on its way to the Mandovi River, where it planned to anchor and start for business as ‘Big Daddy Casino,’ Goa’s sixth gambling operation that is floating.
Nevertheless the incident has caused a political monsoon in Asia.
Controversial Owner
There was already a backlash against MV Lucky 7. Opposition events and local anti-gambling teams highly opposed the Goan government’s licensing of this casino, specially following the revelation that it had been owned by businessman and former minister for the state of Haryana, Gopal Kanda.
Kanda was 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 their ministerial post and was subsequently arrested on charges of aiding and suicide that is abetting sexual exploitation, although the instance was later fallen.
Criminal Negligence?
Now, MV Lucky 7 is accused of negligence and of putting 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 of this neighborhood Indian National Congress opposition celebration. ‘An attempt was 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. Who should be held accountable?’
Every one of Goa’s floating casinos are based on the Mandovi River where it moves through Panaji City, the state’s capital. But also if MV Lucky 7 had managed to get there on this trip that is fateful it wouldn’t be sticking around for long.
Las Vegas Sportsbooks Spruce Up in Anticipation of Upcoming NFL Season
With the first NFL preseason game less than three weeks away, Las Vegas sportsbooks are scrambling to spruce up and get ready for throngs of football bettors. In 2016, the facilities took in $4.6 billion, making for a market that is increasingly competitive and an ambiance intended for luring as much customers as possible is clearly key.
The Westgate LV SuperBook has set a bar that is high other Las Vegas sportsbooks, with several other resorts upgrading to attract more bettors. (Image: EDGeVegas)
Wynn Bets Big
You have to invest money to make money, as the old saying goes, and the splash that is biggest this present year in improvements ended up being made by Wynn Las Vegas, that will be overhauling its own recreations wagering area, and adding one in the neighboring Encore since well. The Wynn will be getting brand new seating areas and an updated video screen system, which will be likely to open August 1.
Bettors staying at Encore formerly had to walk up to the Wynn to place bets, but you can forget. The new Encore sportsbook won’t be as impressive as its sibling property, but are going to be far more convenient, also it opens up August 8.
The Cromwell is also obtaining a new sportsbook. The boutique resort converted a space that is 1,500-square-foot formally housed high-limit slot machines and is which makes it into a wagering area. It shall be small, but about 50 seats will be available.
Keeping Up Utilizing The Joneses
The two-year renovation for the Westgate’s Las Vegas Superbook, completed in January 2016, set a standard that is new these establishments. The off-strip home spent $13 million to totally transform its room.
New leather-based seats had been installed and a food 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. LED screens measuring 220 feet wide by 18 legs tall and spaning the entire activities book venue were installed.
The displays are 60 feet wider than the video board hanging from the roof at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, house of the Dallas Cowboys, and bigger than the movie displays in New York City’s Times Square.
Strip casinos took notice and started to make their particular changes, beginning year that is last. Caesars Palace replaced new state-of-the-art monitors to its video screens and Harrah’s also put in new televisions and seats.
It’s high time
This is the perfect time associated with the year for renovations, with truly the only major professional sport in the summer time baseball that is being. Additionally a handful of special occasions, such as for example the just-wrapped-up Wimbledon, the usa Open, while the occasional UFC or boxing match.
That will all change on 3, when the Dallas Cowboys face the Arizona Cardinals in the Hall of Fame game august. The contest, played in Canton, Ohio, kicks off the preseason that is three-week, and despite having starting players only used sparingly, should generate action at the wagering windows.
While the crowds will only get heavier when the season that is regular college football get underway.
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