Phil Ivey made an appearance on the popular Culture Kicks YouTube channel last month to sell a pair of game-worn Kobe Bryant sneakers.
In true Ivey fashion, he let Lady Luck dictate the final sale price. The channel regularly features host Chase Young flipping coins for whether he’ll pay above or below perceived market value of the sneakers. However, Young doesn’t normally gamble for stakes as high as Ivey wants.
The 11-time World Series of Poker champion brought a pair of white, yellow, and purple Nikes to Sneaker Con. He claimed Bryant wore them in 2005.
Young asked if the duo had proof Bryant wore the sneakers. The broker assured Young there was proof and they could get it once they agreed to numbers. Then, they started negotiating the gambling.
First, the broker said they were going to flip for $0 or $50,000.
In other words, if Young won the flip, he’d get the shoes for free. If Ivey won the flip, Young would pay the live and online poker crusher the five-figure sum.
Young balked at the first offer.
“Welcome to big boy land,” said Ivey.
“I’m not a poker star like you,” said Young.
All parties agreed that the sneakers were worth between $20,000-$25,000. Young countered with a $0 or $40,000 flip. Ivey countered with $45,000 and they agreed on $42,500.
Tails Never Fails
“I’m not going to argue with you because I want you to eat if you lose,” said Ivey. “Or I’d still be negotiating.”
“If you win, I’m going to have to wire you that,” said Young. “But if I win, I’m taking it for free.”
Young and Ivey inspected the coin before Young got ready to flip it.
“Honestly, I really want you to win,” said Ivey.
Young flipped the coin and Ivey called “tails” in the air. A couple people gathered around the coin as it and celebrated as they saw tails come up.
“It’s Phil Ivey, what did you expect?” said “the broker.”
The two shook hands and Ivey said they would “keep in touch.”
You can watch the whole ordeal in the video below:
The win is a pittance compared to what Ivey collected on single hands of poker, but he seemed to enjoy the process. Ivey has more than $53 million in live tournament winnings and has been a part of the biggest cash games in the world.
His latest WSOP victory came last year when he won the $10,000 2-7 triple draw championship for $347,440.
