Phil Ivey

Phil Ivey was born on February 1, 1977, in Riverside, California, but his family moved to Roselle, New Jersey, when he was a baby. Discovering poker while working for a telemarketing company in New Brunswick in the 1990s, he began playing in Atlantic City at age 18, using a fake ID under the name Jerome Graham. His frequent play earned him the nickname "No Home Jerome." Ivey's first recorded tournament win came in April 2000 at the Jack Binion World Poker Open in Tunica, where he won a $540 Limit Hold'em event for $53,297. He made his WSOP debut later that year, cashing three times and winning his first bracelet in the $2,500 Pot-Limit Omaha event for $195,000.

Ivey went on to win three bracelets in 2002 and another in 2005, establishing himself as a force at the World Series of Poker. Over his career, he has amassed 11 bracelets, placing him second all-time behind Phil Hellmuth (17). After a ten-year drought, Ivey captured his 11th bracelet at the 2024 WSOP in Event #29: $10,000 2-7 Triple Draw Championship. Reflecting on the victory, Ivey told PokerNews, "It’s good. It feels good. It feels good to win always. I’m motivated. If I can play I will." As of 2024, Ivey has over 65 WSOP final tables and 134 cashes, with career WSOP winnings exceeding $11 million. His total live tournament earnings are over $54 million, placing him 7th on the United States All Time Money List.

In February 2008, Ivey became a World Poker Tour (WPT) champion, winning the $1,000 L.A. Poker Classic for $1,596,100. That remains his only WPT title, though he has numerous other high-profile scores. In November 2005, he banked his first seven-figure score, taking $1 million in the $25,000 No-Limit Hold'em event at the Monte Carlo Millions. He also reached the final table of the 2009 WSOP Main Event, among many other deep runs.

Ivey is legendary in high-stakes cash games, often called "the Tiger Woods of Poker." In 2006, he represented "The Corporation" in a heads-up match against billionaire Andy Beal at the Wynn in Las Vegas, with stakes as high as $50,000/$100,000. Over three days, Ivey won over $16 million from Beal. He has been a regular on televised shows like High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark, where his ice-cold demeanor and ability to read opponents shine. Ivey excels in both no-limit hold'em and mixed games, combining powerful value bets with well-timed bluffs.

Ivey is known for his aggressive, adaptable style and exceptional hand-reading abilities. Many peers consider him the best all-around player in history, capable of winning in every poker format and variant. His calm demeanor under pressure has earned him the nickname "the Tiger Woods of Poker," and his performances at the highest stakes are the stuff of legend. Ivey's idolization by recreational and professional players alike stems from his consistent dominance over two decades.

Ivey was involved in legal disputes with several casinos over "edge sorting" in high-stakes baccarat games. The legal proceedings, which began in 2014, ended in July 2020 when Ivey reportedly settled with the Borgata, concluding a six-year legal battle. The controversy did not tarnish his reputation as a poker icon, and he has continued to compete at the highest levels.

Ivey continues to compete in major tournaments. At the 2024 WSOP, he not only won his 11th bracelet but also cashed in multiple events, including a 4th place in Event #96: $25,000 High Roller H.O.R.S.E. for $239,850 and a 7th in Event #58: $50,000 Poker Players Championship for $158,719. In 2025, he finished 5th in the WSOP $100,000 PLO High Roller for $715,614 and 6th in the $25,000 High Roller H.O.R.S.E. for $149,643. Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2017, Ivey's legacy as one of poker's all-time greats is secure, with many considering him the best player to ever sit at the table.

Phil Ivey's total live tournament earnings stand at $55,697,663 as of 2025, ranking him 7th on the United States All Time Money List and 11th globally. His largest cash is $3,582,753. At the World Series of Poker, Ivey has amassed 11 bracelets (second all-time), 46 final tables, and 96 cashes, with career WSOP earnings of $11,047,501. He holds a Global Poker Index (GPI) rank of 284. Ivey was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2017, recognizing his immense contributions to the game.

During the online poker boom, Ivey was a cornerstone of Full Tilt Poker as a sponsored professional and part-owner. Divorce proceedings revealed he earned approximately $920,000 per month from Tiltware, the company behind Full Tilt. Ivey also faced legal scrutiny in 2014 when he was briefly arrested in connection with an illegal gambling operation in Macau, but he was released without charges. In a separate incident, Ivey and fellow pro Andrew Robl posted $2.5 million bail in an attempt to secure the release of Paul Phua and his son, though the effort ultimately failed.

One of the most famous hands in poker history involved Ivey during the 2005 Monte Carlo Millions. In a heads-up match against Paul Jackson, Ivey made a daring bluff with eight-high, forcing Jackson to fold a superior hand. The hand is often cited as a perfect example of Ivey's fearless aggression and reading ability. Another highlight came in 2006 when Ivey, representing "The Corporation," won over $16 million from billionaire Andy Beal in a heads-up match at the Wynn.