revizor
Enthusiast
Silver Level
Phil Ivey is already poker legend today! And who are Aria's? Today, the overwhelming majority of young regulars and players just play online and they don’t know about any Aria's. The fact that they called the room is an honor to them, not Ivy! Although, them plenty trues. They show all lovers of poker how they relate to living legends as soon as even the slightest shadow darkens their appearance. I am not at all surprised by their swineish behavior in relation to those people whose fame makes hi money too.
57noona
Legend
Bronze Level
I think it is sad that they have to change the name of the room. He is one of the best poker players in the world if not the best player. Like in poker he had to have an edge to gamble. Too bad it caught up with him though.
acidburnfx
Senior apprentice
Loyaler
Before Aria opened, "Bobby’s Room" was home to the biggest games in Las Vegas. The high-stakes section formerly known "The Ivey Room" did steal away some of the traffic when it came to largest big-bet games.
The switch comes in the aftermath of Ivey's most recent legal problems. At the start of February, a federal judge gave the Borgata Hotel and Casino approval to go after Ivey’s assets in Nevada to collect the $10.16 million he owes Borgata from a lawsuit he lost over his infamous baccarat session.
McCormack, however, did not link Ivey's baccarat troubles with the decision to make a change.
That's what he says. As you can see, nothing lasts forever.
The switch comes in the aftermath of Ivey's most recent legal problems. At the start of February, a federal judge gave the Borgata Hotel and Casino approval to go after Ivey’s assets in Nevada to collect the $10.16 million he owes Borgata from a lawsuit he lost over his infamous baccarat session.
McCormack, however, did not link Ivey's baccarat troubles with the decision to make a change.
That's what he says. As you can see, nothing lasts forever.
Shells
Moderator
Moderator
You can read more about this here >>> Aria Rebrands Ivey Room as ‘Table 1’ amid Namesake’s Legal Woes
MikeCarasone
Legend
Platinum Level
MGM is the parent company of the Aria as well as the the Borgata (one of the casinos that sued him) clearly there’s gonna be an issue with Ivey due to the lawsuit. If Ivey is really worth in excess of 100 million yet he has made no effort to satisfy any of the judgments against him it’s obviously not a good look. The casino wants to avoid any more negative attention being affiliated with Ivey, as well as an obvious conflict of interest. I’m sure the full tilt drama wasn’t good and this is the clincher. Instead of coming to some agreement he put up a huge public fight, hid his assets in New Jersey after losing the well publicized debacle. Likely his or protected his holdings in Vegas as well. Whether what he did was “legal” or not doesnt matter, it’s definitely shady and he tried to take advantage of a casino that probably has been very good to him and is part of the group that employs him. He knew he was bending the rules to gain an edge. I wonder if the negative backlash and embarrassment was worth it. Respect and being trusted are valuable commodities when you are in the high stakes gaming industry. It must be humbling to be stripped of his name on the room he likely made millions in. Doubtful he would be back playing there for a long time , if he’s even welcome. Likelihood of him gaining a big sponsorship now are low. 10 million is a lot of money to many but for Ivey over a lifetime of earning I think he made a poor choice.
J
jaydaddy0325
Enthusiast
Silver Level
I have to say (not as a fan) but as a non bias person I dont think what Ivey did was wrong. The casino DIDNT do there homework and they screwed up he should not pay them and i think it was inevitable they would rebrand the room. Table1 ??? Kinda cheap sounding tho. GO IVEY !!!
E
ekgbeat
Legend
Bronze Level
Good point. I looked at it as more of a political move versus a bad imagine for the casino. The big question is did Aria sponsor Ivy in tournaments or pay him money to have the roomed named after him. Could be a residual impact to him, but we will never know.
MikeCarasone
Legend
Platinum Level
Good question. I’m sure there must’ve been some type of financial agreement. I’ve seen Ivey in many pictures spirting an Aria hat or insignia on his shirt. Wouldn’t shock me if he had a sponsorship deal go bye bye.
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ekgbeat
Legend
Bronze Level
Yes, Aria confirmed that the name came from the players. Link below
https://twitter.com/ThePokerBoss/status/1098339377984327680
Shells
Moderator
Moderator
It's true! (made me laugh a little)
I'm thinking Aria has perhaps learned their lesson not to name a room after any single person for fear of potential bad publicity? I don't know, just a thought from a marketing standpoint.
playinggameswithu
Legend
Silver Level
Your comment made me laugh also. Especially when I consider Hellmuths reputation was willingly being pimped out endlessly for UltimateBet...which was a grotesque room with superusers in which the online poker community's trust was smashed. To my knowledge he made excuses for them and did not get criticized to the extent he should have. Hellmuth loves to promote for anyone and anything as long as he is being paid....does not strike me as very legend like.
Ivey out smarting the casino's at unbeatable games is god-like and I always will hold him in deep respect for doing so...he did not scam anybody they agreed to his stipulations in full. Aria's renaming is a slight insult to someone who grinded from the bottom into literally The World's Greatest in Poker (All Around). Aria will come and go...
