No matter what you do, no matter how long you live, no matter what strings you pull, you almost certainly will never get the opportunity to play one-on-one basketball against LeBron James or compete in a set of tennis against Novak Djokovic.

Poker is different. If you have the money, you can buy into a game against just about any living legend at any time.

And thanks to a newly announced promotion from the World Poker Tour, two lucky players will have the chance to do that in December without risking big money. A pair of qualifiers will get to battle heads-up against Phil Ivey — the LeBron or Djokovic of his generation, the consensus world’s best in his prime, and still arguably so in 2023 — with serious stakes.

On Dec. 10, Ivey will play the two heads-up matches simultaneously at Wynn Las Vegas, and if either challenger beats the 2017 Poker Hall of Fame inductee, they’ll earn a $10,400 seat in the WPT World Championship that begins Dec. 12.

From the club to the diamonds

Qualifying for the opportunity to play in the Phil Ivey WPT Duel starts with a membership with ClubWPT, an online poker site that operates somewhat like social casinos such as High 5 Casino or Pulsz Casino, where players can deposit or withdraw real money but compete for site-specific currency.

With online poker at sites such as PokerStars, BetMGM Poker, and WSOP only legal and operational in a handful of states, those seeking to play iPoker in much of the country have to turn to other options like this “sweepstakes”-style site affiliated with the World Poker Tour.

Qualifying ClubWPT members can enter an online tournament on Nov. 19 that will award the top two finishers a $2,500 passport to the WPT Prime Championship running Dec. 7-12 at Wynn Las Vegas, $500 cash, four hotel nights, and the chance to play Ivey heads-up.

If either or both challengers prevail over Ivey (while he’s perhaps distracted by also playing the other winner heads-up), they’ll earn entry into the WPT World Championship, which comes with a $40 million guaranteed prize pool.

“Looking forward to playing heads-up up against the two ClubWPT players at the same time,” Ivey, typically a man of few words, said in a press release announcing the promotion.

“Since Phil joined the WPT family as an official ambassador, we have aimed to integrate him into the ClubWPT landscape,” added WPT CEO Adam Pliska. “It is an honor to offer ClubWPT members this opportunity to face the best and land an unforgettable experience, win or lose.”

Ivey, 46, has won 10 World Series of Poker bracelets — tied for second-most all-time behind Phil Hellmuth — and one WPT title. But the New Jersey native is better known in some circles for his role in a baccarat edge-sorting controversy, which led to extended legal battles with Crockfords in London and Borgata in Atlantic City, as well as possibly a movie that was announced to be in the works in 2020.

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