WSOP Ratings Up Slightly: Phil Ivey Still An Issue

Through 10 episodes, the 2009 WSOP has earned an average rating of .75, which translates to 741,311 household impressions. That is up about 3 percent from 2008's .73 rating through this time period, which translated to 704,826 household impressions, according to ESPN.

The real test will come with the "nearly live" World Series of Poker final to be played out and broadcast in November.

What should be a blockbuster event thanks to the "Tiger Woods of Poker" making the cut, Phil Ivey, is anything but.  So far, he's a practical "no show" on the promo circuit.  Michele Clayborne, who oversees Team Full Tilt, has remained aloof and unavailable for comment. 

Gambling911.com's own Tom Somach addressed the issue recently.

"The folks who run the World Series of Poker (WSOP) are asking, ‘Where is Phil?', writes Somach.

"WSOP brass were thrilled Ivey made the "November Nine"-the nickname given to the nine final tablists who will resume play in November after a four-month break-because the envisioned a public relations bonanza for the WSOP.

"Well-known, easy-going and affable champ Ivey would give the WSOP Main Event a real shot in the arm-everyone would want to interview the handsome, intelligent and articulate pro.

"The Today Show, The Tonight Show, Letterman, Oprah, Larry King-they'd all want him, WSOP officials thought. It would be tremendous publicity for the WSOP, the Main Event and the game of poker. Perhaps the most publicity ever.

"But there's just one problem. It hasn't happened. Ivey has been scarcer on the media scene than a penguin in a desert."

In fact the last big news blast about Phil Ivey came from none other than Tom Somach's report featured on Gamlbing911.com about his absence.  That was over a week ago.

Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher