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.
Phil Ivey endorses Full Tilt Poker, and you can even challenge him heads-up. A rare treat when you consider that Ivy, sorry Ivey, was named poker player of the year for 2005 by Bluff Magazine, All In Magazine, and at the UK Gambling Awards.
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