Phil Ivey
Post ‘Black Friday’ Special Report: Where is Phil Ivey?
Phil Ivey has frequently been recognized as the top poker player in the world, and he is also one of the youngest. It is commonly said about Phil Ivey that he can play any hand like it is pocket aces. This ability makes Phil Ivey one of the most dangerous poker players in the world
Ever since he was a child,Phil Ivey was always saying that he would be a professional gambler. During his childhood, Phil’s grandpa tried teaching him how dangerous of a game poker is by cheating Phil Ivey in games of five card stud, where the ante was just a penny. Despite having lots countless games against his father,Phil Ivey did not take heed to the warnings and lessons that his grandfather taught him, and continued his quest toward becoming the world’s most well known professional poker player.
Wanting to play in Atlantic City, Phil Ivey acquired a fake ID, getting him past security in the casinos there. Phil Ivey did not have instant success, and lost quite frequently; nevertheless, Phil Ivey packed up and relocated himself to Atlantic City when he turned 20 years old in order to continue his gambling career and improve his skills.
Phil Ivey made a big splash in 2000 at the WSOP when me made two final tables, which included a victory in $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha. In this win, Phil navigated his way to a shark infested table which included Phil Hellmuth, Amarillo Slim, and David “Devilfish” Ulliott. Phil Ivey used this success to move up into high stakes poker games, and his accomplishments are many.
Phil Ivey had an amazing performance at the 2002 WSOP, when he joined Phil Hellmuth and Ted Forrest as the only players to win three bracelets in one year, Phil Ivey winning bracelets in the following games:
- Seven Card Stud
- Seven Card Stud 8 or Better
- SHOE
Phil Ivey earned a victory in $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha at the 2005 WSOP to win his fifth bracelet. Phil Ivey has also had victories at the Monte Carlo Millions poker tournament as well as the FullTiltPoker.Net Invitational, which was Live from Monte Carlo. These two events took place within a few days, giving Phil a nice $1.6 million prize for his work.
One very interesting fact about Phil Ivey is his bad luck in the WPT when holding Ace-Queen. At the WPT, Phil Ivey hasn’t had great final table luck, having reached six final tables, and not taking first place in any of them. But, Phil Ivey has held Ace-Queen and been the favorite to survive several times when he did end up being eliminated from the game. Despite his struggles with Ace-Queen, Phil Ivey refuses to give in to the gambler’s fallacy and will continue to play Ace-Queen strongly and not shy away from it.
Phil Ivey resides in Las Vegas and is recently divorced. Phil can frequently be seen playing with the likes of Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, and Jennifer Harman at the Bellagio’s $4,000/$8,000 games in Bobby’s Room.
One of the most famous moments in Phil Ivey’s poker career is during a heads up poker tournament with over a million dollars at stakes for finishing first.
