Phil Ivey court case: Poker star's last chance in £7.8m casino battle

Professional poker player Phil Ivey will return to court in a last-ditch effort to release £7.8m he won playing baccarat at a London casino.

US player Ivey, 40, won the cash at Crockfords, Mayfair, in August 2012 but the casino refused to pay out.

The casino argued Ivey had broken the rules - the claim was that he and Cheng Yin Sun had used "edge-sorting" to gain an advantage while playing punto banco.

Edge sorting is a technique used by skilled players to identify cards using tiny imperfections.

After Crockfords' refusal to pay out, Ivey was sued by a New Jersey casino, where he had won $9.6m in similar circumstances.

In the UK Ivey had his appeal against the casino dismissed in November 2016 but is due to appear in the Supreme Court on Thursday, July 13, 2017.

Ivey said: "Last November’s Court of Appeal ruling made no sense to me.

"The original trial judge ruled that I was not dishonest and none of the three Appeal Court judges disagreed, and yet the decision went against me by a majority of 2 to 1.

"I am so pleased that the Supreme Court has granted me permission to fight for what I genuinely believe is right.

"I am hopeful that the Supreme Court will reverse the decision against me and that I will finally receive my winnings which I consider to be the just and proper outcome to this dispute."

Phil Ivey court case: A timeline of events

2012

April: October Ivey wins $9.6m playing Baccarat at Borgata Casino, New Jersey, USA.
August: Ivey wins c.£7.8m playing Baccarat at Crockfords Club, London. Casino refuses to pay out.

2013

May: Ivey issues proceedings at London’s High Court against the owners of Crockfords Club (Genting Casinos UK Ltd) for non-payment of his c.£7.8m August 2012 winnings.

2014

April: Borgata Casino files US lawsuit against Ivey seeking reimbursement of his $9.6m April-October 2012 winnings.
October: Ivey loses High Court claim against owners of Crockfords Club for non-payment of his August 2012 winnings.

2015

January: Ivey granted permission to appeal the London High Court decision in claim against the owners of Crockfords Club.
July: Ivey counter sues Borgata Casino over 2012 Baccarat winnings.

2016

April: Appeal of High Court decision in claim against owners of Crockfords Club heard in Court of Appeal, London.
Nov Court of Appeal upholds the High Court decision.

2017

February: The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom grants permission to appeal the order made by the Court of Appeal.

July: The Supreme Court final appeal.

Main picture by World Poker Tour