Only a few poker players have achievements as vivid as Phil Ivey’s. He is a master player who steals the show at every table he joins, often taking home spectacular prizes. With ten WSOP bracelets, a WPT championship title, a Poker Hall of Fame induction, unprecedented prowess in different game variances, and the biggest profit in online poker history, Phil Ivey is regarded as the planet’s greatest all-around poker player.
The outstanding achievements of this poker’s Tiger Woods are so remarkable that a short write-up cannot cover them all in detail. However, this casino news will highlight Ivey’s most significant achievements, from bracelet wins to career earnings. But first, let’s rewind to see where it all started.
Phil Ivey: A Magician and Cash Game Whisperer
Philip Dennis Ivey Jr. was born on February 1st, 1977, in Riverside, California, to Philip Ivey Sr. and Pamela Ivey. They relocated to Roselle, New Jersey, a few months after the birth of their child. At age 8, young Ivey had started playing poker under his grandfather’s tutelage. His grandfather discovered his grandchild’s talent and potential for the game at such a tender age. At that time, the Oasis Poker classic game was unavailable, so Phil Ivey regularly practiced standard poker games, competing with his teenage friends.
In the early 1990s, he worked at a telemarketing company in Atlantic City, where a colleague, Jerome Graham, provided him with ID. He frequented the Taj Mahal resort, engaging in lengthy Seven-Card Stud sessions with his fake ID due to age restrictions. One of the poker fun facts of his story is that he was nicknamed “No Home Jerome” because he used a fake ID to play poker in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with the name “Jerome” as his alias. The “No Home” part of the nickname likely refers to the fact that he didn’t have a permanent residence in Atlantic City at the time.
In 1998, when he was 21 and of age to gamble, Phil Ivey moved to Atlantic City. Having revealed his identity to the casinos, he continued playing under his real name. And strategically, Ivey quickly rose through the ranks of seasoned players of poker casino games. He debuted in a major live tournament in April 2000 at the First Annual Jack Binion World Poker Open. Competing in the $500 + 40 Limit Hold ’em, he finished first to win $53,297. This win marked the beginning of Ivey’s greatness.
From High-Stakes Cash Games to Tournament Victories
In May 2000, Phil Ivey entered the 31st WSOP tournament, reaching the final table with Phil Hellmuth and Dave Elliott. Having cultivated excellent poker habits, he faced the challenge with a straight face. Ivey finished first in the $2,500 + 80 Pot Limit Omaha for his first bracelet and $195,000. He was the second African American to win such a trophy.
At the 2003 WSOP (33rd), Phil Ivey impressed by securing three bracelets—two from Card Stud events and one from HOSE. In 2005, he won his fifth bracelet and a $635,603 cash prize at the 36th WSOP in a $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha event.
In 2009, Ivey was at the 40th WSOP’s final table against Layne Flack, John Monnette, Eric Buchman, and other poker greats from both the live and the online casino scene. He won two more bracelets—one from a No Limit Deuce to Seven Draw and the other from an Omaha/Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo event. He added the eighth bracelet to his resume in 2010 at the 41st WSOP’s HORSE event, plus $329,840.
Phil Ivey won his 9th bracelet in 2013 at the WSOP Asia Pacific in Melbourne, in the A$2,200 Mixed event, at the final table, which included Daniel Negreanu, among other professionals. He won his tenth and last bracelet in 2014 at the 45th WSOP in Las Vegas after finishing first in a battle against poker greats like Stephen Chidwick, Daniel Heimiller, and Daniel Negreanu, among others.
Other Notable Wins and Career Earnings for Phil Ivey
Ivey won his WPT championship title in 2008 at the LA Poker Classic in Los Angeles. He finished first against Phil Hellmuth, Quinn Do, Nam Le, and other notable players in the $9,900 + 100 No Limit Hold ’em Championship Event.
He topped the All Time Money List in 2010 after winning A$600,000 for finishing second in the A$100,000 + 500 $100,000 Challenge at the Aussie Millions Poker Championship in Melbourne. Ivey won his biggest live tournament jackpot, $3,582,753, at the 2014 Aussie Millions Poker Championship in Melbourne.
Phil Ivey is more of a cash game player and has cashed up to eight figures in competitions. According to reports, he has earned $100 million to $125 million in his career.
Battle With Casinos and the Law
Phil Ivey has been involved in legal disputes with a few casinos that provide games like the Pai Gow poker, etc. He was accused of using a technique known as “edge sorting,” which some casinos consider a form of cheating.
Ivey, who understands poker like no other, and is referred to as a strong poker hands guide master, maintained that edge-sorting was a legitimate strategy. However, the courts eventually ruled against him, resulting in the forfeiture of millions in winnings.
The Tiger Woods of Poker
Phil Ivey has completed poker with his undeniable accomplishment and unshaken greatness. He holds the record for the most bracelets won in non-Holdem events. At 38, he became the youngest player to attain ten bracelets. His skill and success have undoubtedly helped inspire new players and popularize the game globally. To kickstart your table gaming journey, visit Vegas Aces Casino to play online poker free games to hone your skills before stepping up to real money games.
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