Phil Ivy's Refusal To Play in 2011 WSOP--Is It in Defense of Poker Cheat Victims or Ruse to Keep His Image Shining?

Actually it's both, but I don't think Phil Cares as much about the poker bot-cheating victims and multi-account cheat victims who got cheated on Full Tilt Poker as much as he says he does. I think that he wants to keep his online poker golden-boy image as sparkling as his World Series of Poker image, and what better way to do that than sacrifice his appearance at this year's WSOP tournaments in the name of standing up for Full Tilt's online poker cheat victims?

If you didn't read Phil's statement on his Facebook page, here it is:

"For many years, I have been proud to call myself a poker player. This great sport has taken me to places I only imagined going and I have been blessed with much success. It is therefore with deep regret that I believe I am compelled to release the following statement.

I am deeply disappointed and embarrassed that Full Tilt players have not been paid money they are owed. I am equally embarrassed that as a result many players cannot compete in tournaments and have suffered economic harm.

I am not playing in the World Series of Poker as I do not believe it is fair that I compete when others cannot. I am doing everything I can to seek a solution to the problem as quickly as possible.

My name and reputation have been dragged through the mud, through the inactivity and indecision of others and on behalf of all poker players I refuse to remain silent any longer. I have electronically filed a lawsuit against Tiltware related to the unsettled player accounts. As I am sure the public can imagine, this was not an easy decision for me.

I wholeheartedly refuse to accept non-action as to repayment of players funds and I am angered that people who have supported me throughout my career have been treated so poorly.

I sincerely hope this statement will ignite those capable of resolving the problems into immediate action and would like to clarify that until a solution is reached that cements the security of all players, both US and International, I will, as I have for the last six weeks, dedicate the entirety of my time and efforts to finding a solution for those who have been wronged by the painfully slow process of repayment"

Well, I will tell you one thing: We will surely see Phil back in next year's 2012 WSOP...unless some new online poker site he gets involved in gets hit with a cheating scandal and doesn't react quick to reimburse its victims!