Update on World Poker Tour Lawsuit

During last year’s World Series of Poker, seven professional players (Greg Raymer, Chris Ferguson, Joseph Hachem, Howard Lederer, Annie Duke, Andy Bloch and Phil Gordon) filed an anti-trust lawsuit against the World Poker Tour. The players claimed that the releases they had to sign before playing in a WPT event infringed on their personal property rights and kept them from pursuing their profession as a poker pro.

In April, the players filed a motion for a summary judgment, which would have basically ended the case in the players’ favor. After waiting for a reply from the WPT, blood-sucking lawyers from both sides met to argue about it some more on May 14th. After reviewing this latest bout of legal wrangling, District Court Judge Otis D. Wright II denied the summary judgment on May 22nd. He indicated that the case will be heading to court unless a settlement is reached between the two sides.

According to Adam Pliska, general counsel and head vampire for the WPT, “We are very pleased with Judge Wright’s order denying the Motion for Summary Judgment. We feel that this decision confirms our contention that this case is without merit.” Wow. Can’t you just feel the sincerity oozing from his voice?

While many fans of poker have hoped for a settlement, it doesn’t seem that this one is going to be over anytime soon. Meanwhile, many of the players involved in the lawsuit refuse to play in the WPT events, thus denying fans the chance to see the best in the world play each other.

It’s a good thing that all those involved in the suit are millionaires, as I’m certain that the attorney fees are piling up. The WPT, on the other hand, risks alienating some of the top players in the game. I wonder if they can really afford to do so? And after hearing that Shana Hiatt had to sue them just to be able to host NBC’s Poker After Dark, I have to wonder if the WPT isn’t being run by a bunch of assholes.

For more on the world of poker, check out:

Poker After Dark Hosted by Shana Hiatt
Rent a Poker Player

Update on World Poker Tour Lawsuit