A star poker player has defended a practice he used to win millions of pounds from a London casino after it refused to pay out the money.

Crockfords casino accuses Phil Ivey of cheating by using the "edge-sorting technique" in card game punto banco.

Mr Ivey, considered one of the best poker players in the world, is suing the Mayfair casino for ?7.7m, saying the technique is lawful.

He told the High Court in London: "I would never cheat in a casino."

Edge-sorting involves studying cards for imperfections.

The 38-year-old American played punto banco - a form of the card game baccarat - over two days in August 2012.

He was told his winnings would be wired to him, but they never arrived. His stake of ?1m was returned.

'Unjustly treated'
"I consider all the strategies I use to be lawful and I would never cheat in a casino. It is not in my nature to cheat and nor would I risk my reputation by acting unlawfully in any manner."

Mr Justice Mitting, who is hearing the case, has been told by Mr Ivey's counsel, Richard Spearman QC, that the casino's case was "plainly unsustainable".

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