Nicknamed “The Phenom” and “The Tiger Woods of Poker”, Phil Ivey is one of the best professional poker players in the world. He has one World Poker Tour title and ten World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets. In the Poker Hall of Fame, he is one of the youngest and top-earning members. As of 2022, Phil Ivey has a net worth of $125 million.
Early Life
Phillip Dennis Ivey Jr. was born on February 1, 1977. He was raised in Riverside, California and spent some of his childhood hanging with his grandfather at poker tables, watching him play.
He started by playing Five-card stud poker. His first alias was “No Home Jerome” because, in his teenage years, he used a fake ID to participate in games in New Jersey’s Atlantic City.
Ivey worked at a telemarketing company after finishing high school. As soon as he started working at the company, he began playing poker with his coworkers. This way, Phil got to improve his game drastically.
Career Beginnings
He entered professional poker when he was 20, believing he had a good handle on it. He steadily progressed and matched up against people like Daniel Negreanu, who became his friend. They still have a close bond today.
In 2000, Ivey shook the gambling world when he became the first person to beat the legendary Amarillo Slim in a WSOP final table. This was how he earned his first-ever professional poker bracelet.
In the same year, he also received a bracelet from Pot Limit Omaha. In 2002, Phil clinched three WSOP bracelets, tying with Ted Forrest and Phil Hellmuth for most event wins in one year. This was how he earned the title of The Phenom.
Further Pursuits
Phil became the “2005 Poker Player of the Year” by All In Magazine, an accomplishment he also achieved in 2009. In 2008, he secured his first and only World Poker Tour title.
By 2009, the rising star had already obtained his sixth WSOP bracelet. Now, with ten WSOP bracelets, Phil is tied for second all-time with Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan. Among the three, he is the youngest.
With his winnings, he got to establish two business endeavors: the app “Ivey Poker” and the training program “Ivey League”. However, it wasn’t all good news for Phil. He got into a legal case with Crockfords Casino Mayfair Club but lost the court battle to get paid out on his $10.2 million winnings.
Net Worth and Earnings
It is estimated that Phil Ivey makes $20 million per year from various income sources. As for his live tournament earnings, he has made a whopping $37.1 million.
He gets a considerable amount from his business ventures. However, those figures are still undisclosed. Phil also teaches poker strategy through a course on Masterclass.com. Many consider the course worth it as Phil opens up for the first time to share his knowledge. Currently, Phil has a fortune of $125 million.
Personal Life
With his accolades, Phil Ivey is considered by many the greatest poker player of all time. He was once a married man. His ex-wife is Luciaetta Ivey and they married in 2002 but their relationship ended in 2009.
