This week’s poker news delivers the final notes from the World Series of Poker, including a recap of the big winner. We’ll start there as we do our weekly round of the poker headlines:
Ensan Captures Germany’s Second World Series of Poker Main Event Title
The 2019 World Series of Poker has come to a conclusion at the Rio Casino. Germany’s Hossein Ensan has won the main event – the crown jewel of the tournament series – and earned the most sought-after prize in poker. In the process, Ensan secured Germany’s second ever WSOP main event title, becoming the oldest main event championship since Noel Furlong won it back in 1999.
Ensan, who is 50 years old, took home a massive $10 million first-place prize with the victory. He is the first German main event winner since Plus Heinz won a championship back in 2011. In addition to the incredible cash prize, Ensan earned 3,300 Card Player Player of the Year points. Ensan wasn’t the only big winner from this event. Each of the top nine finishers took home at least $1 million in prize money, including runner-up finisher Dario Sammartino, who won $6 million.
Ivey Handed $10.13 Million Judgment From Borgata
Poker and gambling professional Phil Ivey is in big trouble following the latest decision against him by the Nevada courts. New Jersey’s Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa was given the green light by a judge to pursue any assets that Ivey might own in his state.
According to court documents, Ivey and co-defendant Cheng Yin “Kelly” Sun owe $10.13 million in a judgment that is the result of a high-profile “edge sorting” case. Ivey and Sun were found liable in 2016. The tandem had won a large portion of that money during several multi-day sessions at the Borgata high-stakes mini-baccarat tables between 2010 and 2012. The two professionals admitted to implementing a complex edge-sorting scheme that shifted the game’s odds in their favour as they built up a fortune in winnings during that time.
Ivey and Sun were ordered to refund the winnings to the casino. The next step for the courts will be figuring out just how much they can seize from Ivey in the state of Nevada. After all, Ivey has reportedly already moved some of his money outside of the United States. Considering how complex the case is, it wouldn’t be a surprise to anybody involved if the process continues to drag out over the coming years. A 10-time WSOP bracelet winner, it will be a very long time before Ivey gets the opportunity to play in another professionally sanctioned poker tournament.
15th Annual Arizona State Championship Scheduled For August 9th At Talking Stick Resort
Officials have confirmed that the 15th annual Arizona State Poker Championship will take place at the Talking Stick Resort beginning on August 9th. Registration is already open for the event. The buy-in is set at $1.1K with an estimated total prize pool of $1.5 million.
Arizona’s largest tournament of the year is expected to host 1,000 players with both novice and professional players set to compete. The five-day event is projected to hand $159,500 in cash, a Rolex and a trophy to the eventual tournament winner. Second and third place will both receive trophies as well with $119,350 in cash going to the runner-up and $88,000 going to the third-place finisher.