Nicknamed “The Phenom” and “The Tiger Woods of Poker”, it’s no surprise Phil Ivey is rated as one of the top poker players in the world. Ivey has one World Poker Tour title and ten World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets to his name. Given his success on the poker table, Phil is now the second richest poker player around. As of 2023, Phil Ivey has a net worth of $100 million.
Early Life
Phillip Dennis Ivey Jr. was born on February 1, 1977. and was raised in Riverside, California. Here he spent some of his childhood hanging out with his grandfather at poker tables, watching him play. He started out playing five-card stud poker.
Initially he played under the alias “No Home Jerome” because he used a fake ID to play poker in Atlantic City. After high school, Ivey worked at a telemarketing firm and honed his natural talent for playing poker against coworkers.
Career Beginnings
Ivey entered professional poker at 20 years-old, believing he had a good handle on it. He steadily progressed and matched up against people such as Daniel Negreanu, who became his friend. The pair 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 heads-up at a WSOP final table . In the same year, he also won 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 was voted the “2005 Poker Player of the Year” by All In Magazine, an accomplishment he also earned 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 ventures: the app “Ivey Poker” and the training program “Ivey League”. However, it hasn’t been smooth sailing for Phil. He got into a legal battle with Crockfords Casino in London but lost the court case to recover his $10.2 million in winnings. Crockfords claimed Phil used edge-sorting.
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 $38.6 million, putting him 11th on the all-time money list on thehendonmob.com.
Ivey also earns a considerable amount from his business venture but these figures are undisclosed. Similar to Negreanu, Phil also sells a poker course on Masterclass.com. Many consider the course worth it as “The Phenom” openly shares his knowledge. Currently, Phil’s fortune is $100 million.
Personal Life
With his accolades, Phil Ivey is considered by many as the best all-round poker players on the scene. The American was previously married to Luciaetta Ivey but the couple got divorced in 2009 after a seven year marriage.
In the divorce settlement, Phil paid out millions to his ex-wife and she still wasn’t happy. Since 2013, he has been dating Nellie Garcia, a former fitness model.
