Phil Ivey Arrives at 2025 WSOP, Promptly Busts Moments After Questionable Bet

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May 29, 2025 2 min read

Phil Ivey had only played a few hands at the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) before he ran into a weird situation 10 minutes after max late registering for Event #3: $5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold'em.

The 11-time bracelet winner entered the tournament at the start of Level 13 on Day 2 with just 12.5 big blinds. He folded his first few hands before playing a pot from the big blind that ended with the floor supervisor being called over to rule on his river bet.

Did Poker Legend Make a Legal Bet?

The hand in question showed K♣J♦J♠3♠. Ivey had called a preflop raise from the player on the button, Justin Zaki, and then check-called a continuation bet on the flop before leading out with a bet on the turn, which Zaki called.

Ivey held two red chips (5,000 each) in front of him prior to the river card being dealt. His opponent thought the Poker Hall of Famer's gesture had indicated an all in bet, so he snap-called and then promptly turned over his cards — K♠7♠. The river then appeared, and it was the 10♠, giving Zaki a flush. But there was some question as to if Ivey had even placed a legal wager.

Ivey, who had seen the hand he was up against, was unsure how to act given his opponent's flush had been exposed. The dealer called over the floor supervisor and explained to him the situation.

Zaki told Ivey he "thought he had 10k. I thought it was like a bet."

"He never officially acted. So, now that you know what he has, the action is on you," the floor manager told Ivey.

Ivey giggled before exposing his cards — the J♣9♠. No bet was made on the river and Zaki took down the pot, leaving Ivey down to around seven big blinds. He would bust moments later, losing a 60/40 to Calvin Anderson.

Ivey will have plenty more opportunities to win his 12th bracelet this summer. He is expected to, as per usual, play a sizable schedule.

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