Phil Ivey

Considered one of the greatest no-limit Holdem players in the world, Phil Ivey combines an aggressive playing style with a characteristic calmness at the tables to devastating effect. The winner of no less than 5 WSOP bracelets in recent years and with numerous other big buy-in tournament successes – Ivey is also a professional cash game specialist, often being found in the Bellagio’s ‘Big Game’ with the cream of the poker professional world.

Poker Upbringings

Phil Ivey was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey and started his poker career at an early age by using fake Id to play in the casinos in Atlantic City. Still young by the standards of many poker professionals Ivey has a philosophy of continual improvement, spending many hours working on his game and at least 100 hours a week at the tables – both live and online at Full Tilt Poker.

Tournament Success

This dedication has paid off with an impressive record in the World Series Of Poker. Currently holding 5 bracelets in Pot-Limit Omaha, Stud and HOSE (mixed game of Holdem / Omaha / Stud / Stud Hi-Lo), Phil Ivey also has an outstanding record in the $10,000 No-Limit Holdem Main Event.

Although reaching the final table just once (in 2003 when knocked in 10th out by eventual winner Chris Moneymaker on a ‘bad beat’), Ivey has 3 consecutive top 25 finishes – an outstanding record considering the size of the fields in this event.

Ivey’s biggest tournament win came in the Monte Carlo Millions – the prestigious final of the European Poker Tour. Winning this event for $1 million in 2005, Ivey complimented this win just a few days later by taking first in the Full Tilt Poker Invitational at the same venue for an additional $600,000.

Other notable tournament cashes include several final tables of World Poker Tour events and significant successes in the European Masters. As of 2007 Phil Ivey has amassed an impressive $7.8 million in tournament cashes.

Cash Table Prowess

The ‘Big Game’ at the Bellagio in Las Vegas is where the best poker professionals compete in a $4000 / $8000 blinds ‘mixed game’. This is Phil Ivey’s regular game where he can be found playing the likes of Chip Reese, Doyle Brunson and Barry Greenstein. The mixed game format again a tribute to Ivey’s all round poker skills.

Playing Style

Phil Ivey has two weapons at the poker table. The first is the ability to quickly gather all possible information on his opponent’s playing style and demeanor while at the table – while giving nothing away himself. Ivey is notoriously difficult to read, maintaining the same calm ‘blank’ exterior appearance in any situation. The second weapon is fearlessness and aggression.

Ivey wins many pots by using his chip stack to put opponents in difficult situations by raising and betting at every opportunity. His strategy in tournaments is often to build a big stack or bust early – with a stack Ivey is a very dangerous opponent indeed.

Outside of poker Phil Ivey has many hobbies – including a love of Golf, Basketball and video games. He is also a ‘Full Tilt Pro’ and can often be found playing the high stakes games online. 

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