Phil Ivey
Born on February 1, 1976, in Riverside, California, Phil Ivey's family relocated with him to Roselle, New Jersey when he was just three months old. Growing up in close proximity to Atlantic City, he never let go of his dream of becoming a professional gambler. From an early age, he started proclaiming his ambition, undeterred by the challenges ahead. Phil holds fond memories of his grandfather, who taught him how to play 5-Card Stud, even though he slyly cheated. Despite the deterrence, Phil was captivated by the game of poker.
How Ivey mastered the art of poker
For a few years, he dedicated himself to honing his immense natural talent by playing games at home, where a friend of his father would host. During this time, Phil adopted an alias, going by the name Jerome Graham. He quickly made a name for himself at the poker tables of the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City. It seemed like he would never leave, earning him the nickname "No Home Jerome." At the age of 20, he eventually made the move to Atlantic City and, at 21, confidently approached the shift manager using his alias, much to their amusement. "No Home Jerome" eventually left the casino, and Phil Ivey emerged onto the scene.
| Land | Professional since | Favorite games | Bracelets | Highest profit | total profits | Rankings of the highest-earning poker players in history, known as the All Time Money List, have been updated as of 2023. | Global Poker Index (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 2000 | All-rounder | 10 | 3.582.753 $ | 23.856.033 $ | 6 | - |
| Hometown: | The Vegas, Nevada |
| Interesting facts: | His nicknames are "Tiger Woods of Poker" and "No Home Jerome". |
| Key moments in poker: | First victory at a WSOP event in 2000; three WSOP bracelets in 2002; second place at the EPT in 2006; winner of the 2008 WPT. |
| Number of WSOP bracelets: | 10 |
| WPT/EPT Winnings: | On/None |
| Total tournament winnings: | $23.856.035 (Stand 2017) |
Phil Ivey's career in poker
In the year 2000, at the ripe age of 23, Phil achieved his first triumph at the World Series of Poker competition. His skill and prowess quickly made him a formidable player in high-stakes cash games in Las Vegas. Two years later, he relocated to Long Beach, California, and in that very same year, he clinched three coveted bracelets at the World Series of Poker. Ivey's name is often mentioned alongside four other players (Phil Hellmuth Jr., Puggy Pearson, Ted Forrest, and Jeff Lisandro) who collectively dominated the tournament circuit in a single year. From 2002 to 2009, he consistently ranked among the top 25 contenders for a victory. At present, he boasts an impressive collection of 10 WSOP bracelets, all won within a remarkably short span of just 15 years.
In 2008, Ivey emerged victorious in the World Poker Tour, pocketing a cool $1,596,100 after enduring a seven-WPT-final-table winless streak. Despite his relentless pursuit, a triumph in the European Poker Tour has eluded him thus far, with only a second-place finish to his name, succumbing to Bjørn-Erik Glenne in a nail-biting showdown back in 2006.
Online poker and other achievements
Although tournaments have been moderately successful for him and consistently provide a challenge, Ivey truly showcases his skills in live cash games. It is worth noting in particular that in 2006, he won over $16,000,000 playing against Texas billionaire Andy Beal. He also consistently rakes in a substantial amount of money at Full Tilt Poker, accumulating approximately $18,000,000 from 2007 to 2010.
Ivey is widely recognized for his philanthropy. In 2008, he generously donated $50,000 to Empowered 2 Excel, a non-profit organization based in Las Vegas. Additionally, he established the Budding Ivey Foundation, named after his beloved grandfather, Leonard "Bud" Simmons. This foundation actively raises funds for various charitable causes, including initiatives aimed at promoting childhood literacy and providing essential provisions to the homeless community, such as food assistance programs.
