Phil Ivey biography
Phillip Dennis Ivey Jr. was born on February 1, 1977, in Riverside, California, and grew up in New Jersey. He learned the game playing in Atlantic City as a teenager, using a fake ID that earned him the nickname "No Home Jerome", and he now lives in Las Vegas.
Ivey won his first World Series of Poker bracelet in 2000 in $2,500 Pot-Limit Omaha and added three more in 2002 alone. By 2024 he had 11 bracelets, won in pot-limit Omaha, seven card stud, stud hi-lo, S.H.O.E., deuce-to-seven lowball, H.O.R.S.E., eight game mix and other formats, a record of versatility matched by very few players. He won the 2008 WPT L.A. Poker Classic for $1,596,100, reached the final table of the 2009 WSOP Main Event and finished 7th for $1,404,002, and won the A$250,000 Challenge at the Aussie Millions three times, including A$4,000,000 in 2014, the largest score of his career. He has also cashed for seven figures on the Triton high roller series. His live tournament earnings exceed $54.4 million.
Away from tournaments, Ivey spent years in the Big Game at Bellagio and became one of the most famous high-stakes cash game players in the world. In 2006 he won more than $16 million from billionaire banker Andy Beal in a heads-up match at the Wynn. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2017.
Ivey was also involved in long legal disputes over "edge sorting" at baccarat. The UK Supreme Court ruled in 2017 that Crockfords casino did not have to pay him about £7.7 million, and his case with the Borgata in Atlantic City ended in a settlement in 2020. Widely called the "Tiger Woods of Poker", he is regarded as the greatest African-American poker player and one of the best players in the history of the game.
Career summary
An 11-time WSOP bracelet winner, Poker Hall of Famer and one of the biggest names in high-stakes cash games, Phil Ivey has over $54 million in live tournament earnings and is considered one of the greatest players of all time.
Phil Ivey poker winnings
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | WSOP $10,000 Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw Championship | 1st | $347,440 |
| 2015 | Aussie Millions A$250,000 Challenge | 1st | A$2,205,000 |
| 2014 | Aussie Millions A$250,000 Challenge | 1st | A$4,000,000 |
| 2012 | Aussie Millions A$250,000 High Roller | 1st | A$2,000,000 |
| 2008 | WPT L.A. Poker Classic | 1st | $1,596,100 |
| 2005 | Monte Carlo Millions | 1st | $1,000,000 |
| 2009 | WSOP Main Event | 7th | $1,404,002 |
Verified live tournament earnings: $54,400,000+, plus 11 WSOP bracelets.
Phil Ivey playing style
Ivey is famous for his intimidating stare, fearless aggression and ability to read opponents. He is equally strong in no-limit hold'em, pot-limit Omaha and every mixed game, which makes him one of the most complete players in poker.
Cash games
Long-time regular in the highest-stakes mixed cash games in Las Vegas, including the $4,000/$8,000 Big Game at Bellagio. In 2006 he beat banker Andy Beal heads-up over three days for more than $16 million, and he appeared on High Stakes Poker.
Business & sponsorships
Launched the Ivey Poker app in 2012 and the Ivey League poker training site in 2014.
Why Phil matters
Phil Ivey is widely regarded as the best all-round player of his generation: an 11-time bracelet winner across almost every poker variant and a feared presence in the biggest cash games in the world.
FAQ about Phil Ivey
How many WSOP bracelets does Phil Ivey have?
Eleven. His most recent came in 2024 in the $10,000 Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw Championship.
When was Phil Ivey inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame?
He was inducted in 2017.
What happened in Phil Ivey's edge sorting case?
The UK Supreme Court ruled against him in 2017 in his case with Crockfords, and his dispute with the Borgata in Atlantic City ended in a settlement in 2020.
How much has Phil Ivey won playing poker?
Phil Ivey has won $54,400,000+ in live tournament earnings.
