Sportsbook Shudder at Thought of Ivey WSOP Win

November 2 - It's always bad news for sportsbook groups when a top name in the industry makes the final table of the World Series of Poker Main Event.

But when the top name actually goes on to win the competition, this could result in serious losses for the company as huge payouts are made to punters.

Sportsbooks are now praying that Phil Ivey, undisputedly that most talented poker player in the world, will not take home the title of WSOP 2009 Main Event winner. If he does, these groups stand to lose literally millions of dollars.

Party Bets, for example issued a statement saying: "Ivey will be a terrible result for us and we think that the industry as a whole will have massive liabilities. A big name on the final table of the WSOP  is always bad news for bookmakers and in fairness they don't come much bigger than Ivey."

"We have our fingers crossed that he doesn't pull off a remarkable comeback," said the statement. "The bottom line is that for us it has to be anybody APART from Ivey."

Before the World Series of Poker Event kicked off in July this year, Ivey was considered a favourite to win the event, along with  Daniel Negreanu, Gus Hansen and Tom Dwan.

Betting odds on these four were around 150 - 1. This meant that if a punter wagered $100 that Ivey would win the Main Event, they could be looking at payouts of $15,000 if he is successful!

Ivey has already cost these sportsbookers millions on his way to his current position as a member of the November Nine, which will meet this week - November 7th - to play out the final game.

Odds were offered on who would make the final table, and naturally Ivey bettors were paid out well for their support.