Phil Ivey is widely regarded as one of the greatest poker players in history, with live tournament earnings exceeding $32 million, complemented by substantial cash game and online winnings in the millions. He’s often referred to as the “Tiger Woods of Poker” for his similarities to golf professionals in his pursuit of excellence in every game.
Introduction
Born on February 1, 1977, in Riverside, California, Phil Ivey moved to Roselle, New Jersey, when he was just three months old. Ivey made a remarkable entry into the world of poker by winning his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet in 2000, at the age of 23, in a $2,500 Pot-Limit Omaha event, pocketing $195,000. Since then, he has gone on to win an impressive nine WSOP bracelets and a World Poker Tour (WPT) championship, notably securing victory in the 2008 L.A. Poker Classic.
Despite not being as prolific at the poker table in recent years, Ivey continues to command attention when he enters a room, and he has recently ventured into the world of NFTs.
Background
Jerome Graham, also known as Phil Ivey, began playing poker in Atlantic City at the age of 21. What the casinos didn’t know was that Jerome’s real name was Phil Ivey, and his actual age was 18. It was only after a few years of using a fake ID that Ivey legally turned 21, reaching the age to gamble in casinos.
World Series of Poker
In 2000, Ivey participated in the WSOP, cashing in three events. The third cash proved to be his best, as he walked away with a bracelet and nearly $200,000 in prize money. Ivey wasted little time returning to the WSOP, and just two years later, he won three bracelets after cashing in seven events. Over the following years, Ivey added three more bracelets to his collection, along with 42 money finishes.
However, none of his bracelets were as lucrative as his 2009 WSOP Main Event finish, where he secured over $1.5 million for his first-ever final table appearance in the world’s biggest poker event. His most recent WSOP bracelet came four years later in 2014 when he won the $1,500 Eight-Game Mix event, joining the elite club of players with double-digit bracelets.
Surprisingly, Ivey has reached the final table at the WSOP 15 times, further reinforcing his status as one of the greatest poker players of all time.
World Poker Tour
In 2003, Ivey rose to fame on the World Poker Tour by winning two events and finishing third in the main event at the Five-Star World Poker Classic. Then, in 2005, he finished sixth at the Five-Star World Poker Classic, earning over $260,000. Ivey secured his first WPT championship in 2008, triumphing at the L.A. Poker Classic main event, claiming nearly $1 million in prize money. In 2010, he added another feather to his cap by finishing third in the Bellagio Cup VI, collecting his third significant WPT cash with over $360,000 in winnings.
European Poker Tour
Ivey made his debut on the European Poker Tour in 2006 when he participated in the EPT Barcelona Open. He finished second in the €4,800 main event, earning €371,000. In 2010, after securing 13th place in the £5,000 EPT London/UKIPT Grand Final, he once again cashed in at the EPT. Two years later, Ivey delved into the EPT once more, finishing 200th in the EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo with €9,730 in earnings.
Other Achievements
Ivey is renowned for winning major tournaments outside the United States. In 2005, he claimed the top prize of $1 million at the Monte Carlo Millions, and in 2012, he defeated the super high roller field at the Aussie Millions $250,000 Super High Roller event, banking over $2 million in cash rewards. In the same year, Ivey participated in the Macau High Stakes Challenge Super High Roller event, reportedly winning over $1.6 million from banker Andy Beal after challenging some of the best high-stakes players in the game.
In summary, Phil Ivey’s poker career has been nothing short of legendary. His numerous accomplishments, both in live tournaments and cash games, solidify his status as one of the all-time greats in the world of poker.