Welcome to the exciting journey into the life of the amazing poker player, Phil Ivey. Born on February 1, 1976, in Riverside, California, Ivey has made a big impact on the poker world. Known for being really good at poker and thinking smartly, Ivey’s story is full of success and skill when playing poker.
Starting from when he was young, practicing a lot, to becoming a professional poker player in the late 1990s, Phil Ivey’s life story is about working hard and always trying to be the best. He has won many World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets and is famous for being able to change his strategy during a poker game. Ivey’s biography is an interesting look at the ups and downs of his impressive career.
Join us as we look into Phil Ivey’s life and the cunning techniques that brought him to the pinnacle of poker success.
Who is Phil Ivey?
Phillip Dennis Ivey was born on February 1, 1977, in Riverside, California. At that time, his parents didn’t realize that their newborn son was about 20 years away from becoming a superstar in a card game and on his journey to becoming a multimillionaire.
Ivey’s journey to becoming famous was tough. He faced a lot of challenges, especially when he started playing cash games in Atlantic City. People called him “No Home Jerome” because he played so much that it seemed like he lived in the casinos. Before he turned 21, he used a fake ID with the name “Jerome” to play in the casinos.
Phil Ivey Bio/Wiki
| Full Name | Phillip Dennis Ivey Jr. |
| Nickname | Phil Iveyu |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of Birth | February 1, 1977 |
| Age | 46 Years old |
| Religion | Christian |
| Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
| Place of Birth | Riverside, California, U.S. |
| Residence | Riverside |
| Grandfather | Leonard “Bud” Simmons |
| Nationality | American |
| Father name | Phil Ivey Sr. |
| Mother name | Pamela Ivey |
| Ex-Wife name | Luciaetta Ivey |
| Education | Old Bridge High |
| Ethnicity | Black |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches |
| Weight | 80 kg |
| Sibling | Two |
| Relationship status | Divorce |
| Children | NA |
| Net Worth | $100 Million |
| Profession | Poker Player |
| Famous For | His career in Poker Player |
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Phil Ivey’s Career
Phil Ivey, a professional poker player, has ten World Series of Poker bracelets and one World Poker Tour title. He’s reached nine final tables on the World Poker Tour. Many observers consider him the world’s best all-around player. In 2017, he was admitted into the Poker Hall of Fame.
In the early days of showcasing his poker skills, this person started playing with colleagues at a restaurant in New Brunswick, New Jersey. In the late 1990s, he had a job at a telemarketing firm. He got the nickname “No Home Jerome” because he used a fake ID to play poker in Atlantic City, New Jersey, when he was still a teenager.
After winning three World Series of Poker bracelets in 2002, he was nicknamed “The Phenom.” People also call him “the Tiger Woods of Poker.” Additionally, Thomas “Amarillo Slim” Preston, who appeared only once in a World Series of Poker final table against Ivey, lost to him in a heads-up match. Amarillo Slim, born on December 31, 1928, passed away on April 29, 2012, at the age of 83 due to colon cancer.
Phil Ivey’s Personal Life and Relationship
Phil fell in love with Luciaetta before he got really into poker. They dated for a few years and then got married, moving to Las Vegas together. Phil always spoke positively about her in the media, making it seem like their marriage was happy. However, they faced problems privately, and despite filing for divorce together, it was all settled by December 2009.
As part of their divorce deal, Phil Ivey’s $920,000 monthly earnings from Full Tilt Poker were supposed to be split, with $180,000 going to Luciaetta. However, these payments stopped after Full Tilt Poker faced financial troubles on Black Friday and declared bankruptcy. Luciaetta wanted to review their divorce agreement to get more money from Phil. When it was revealed that Phil had already settled more than $15 million in other obligations and had over $170,000 in credit card debt, the court didn’t change things in Luciaetta’s favor.
Phil Ivey’s Early life
Phil Ivey, famous worldwide as the “Tiger Woods of Poker” and also known as “No Home Jerome,” was born on February 1, 1977, in Riverside, California, USA. He loved card games from a young age and began practicing poker by playing with colleagues at a telemarketing firm in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he worked during his early years.
Surprisingly, he began playing poker with a fake ID when he was too young to play with real money. At 23, he won his first WSOP title by beating players like Phil Hellmuth and Amarillo Slim. By the time he turned 30, he had won five WSOP tournaments. He earned the nickname “The Phenom” in 2002 after winning three WSOP bracelets that year.
Phil Ivey’s Net Worth
Phil Ivey is probably the richest pro-poker player globally. While there might be wealthier players, they are mostly amateurs who earn their money differently. In contrast, Ivey made most of his wealth from playing this amazing game.
Ivey doesn’t show off his wealth and keeps his financial details private, so it’s not easy to know his exact net worth. In the poker boom era, some thought he might be worth nearly $100 million at one time. While that estimate might be a bit too high, it’s clear he has enough money to be financially comfortable for the rest of his life.
Phil Ivey’s Controversies
In 2012, there was a problem involving Ivey at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He was accused of using a technique called edge sorting, where players identify cards that are likely to be in their favor. Ivey said he didn’t do it, but the Borgata didn’t give him the money he won. The case is still waiting to be resolved in court.
Age, Height, Weight & Body Measurement
Phil Ivey is 46 years old, 6 feet 2 inches tall (188 cm), and weighs approximately 176 pounds (80 kg). He has black hair and black eyes, giving him a noticeable and impressive look. Although we don’t have exact measurements, his overall physical presence complements his skills in poker.
Phil Ivey Social Media Accounts
| Platforms | Followers | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| 181K followers | check out | |
| 288K followers | check out | |
| 438.7K Followers | check out |
Phil Ivey Nationality
Nationality is the legal connection between a person and a country. It’s like a legal status that comes with rights and benefits, such as the right to live and work in a country, vote in its elections, and get protection from the government. People can get nationality when they are born, become citizens, or through other means, and it’s usually decided by the country’s rules. It’s important to note that nationality is different from ethnicity, which is more about a person’s cultural identity and heritage.
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Phil Ivey Achievement and Awards
Phil Ivey has had a really successful career as a professional poker player, and he’s received many awards for his skill. This highlights him as one of the most accomplished and successful players in the history of the game. Here are some of the significant achievements and awards he’s earned:
- In 2004 and 2008, he was named Player of the Year for the World Poker Tour.
- The person who won ten World Series of Poker bracelets at the youngest age.
- He won the Monte Carlo Millions tournament in 2005.
- Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2017.
- Was honored with a spot in the Australian Poker Hall of Fame in 2015.
- He won the $1 Million Big One for One Drop tournament at the 2014 World Series of Poker and got $10 million as the prize.
- Won the Aussie Millions $250,000 Challenge in 2014.
- He has won 10 World Series of Poker bracelets, which puts him in a tie with Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson for the second-highest number ever.
- He’s the only player who managed to win nine World Series of Poker bracelets before turning 30.
Ivey’s many achievements and awards show how skilled, dedicated, and strategic he is. Because of these accomplishments, he’s considered one of the most admired and respected players in professional poker history.
Phil Ivey Legacy
Phil Ivey is known as one of the best poker players ever. He’s got ten WSOP bracelets, one WPT title, and has won lots of money in online poker tournaments. Besides poker, he’s also a successful businessman. He even has his own clothing line and a website where he teaches poker. Phil Ivey is a big deal in the poker world, and it looks like he’ll be a strong player for a long time.
Poker Accomplishments of Phil Ivey
It’s almost impossible to list all of Phil Ivey’s poker achievements in a short section. So, here are the key highlights of his poker career. In simple terms, this African-American poker pro has an impressive poker record that any player would envy.
Ivey has won 10 bracelets at the World Series of Poker and has come in second place five times. In 2009, he made it to the final table of the WSOP Main Event and finished in 7th place, which was an improvement from his 2003 performance in the world championship event, where he finished in 10th place.
The Poker Hall of Famer has won more than $25 million in cash prizes, not including his successes at the World Series of Poker. This includes winning the 2008 WPT L.A. Poker Classic for $1.6 million, making it to the final table 10 times at the World Poker Tour, and earning $3.6 million by winning a high roller event at the Aussie Millions in 2014. He’s also done really well in online poker, making over $20 million on Full Tilt Poker, and is known as one of the best high-stakes cash game players globally.
Some Interesting Facts About Phil Ivey
- He quickly made a name for himself in tournaments by winning his first World Series of Poker bracelet in 2000. He defeated Phil Hellmuth and Amarillo Slim at the final table.
- In 2010, he was honored by being added to the Wall of Fame at his high school in Old Bridge.
- Made it to the last round of the 2009 WSOP Main Event and finished in the best personal position, coming in seventh out of 6494 players.
- By the time he was 35, he had won seven additional WSOP bracelets, and all of them were in different events, not the usual Texas Hold’em.
- Ivey created the Budding Ivey Foundation to help kids in need, support projects that promote children’s literacy, and provide programs to feed the homeless.
- He got the idea from his grandfather, who was involved in helping the community in Roselle, Ivey’s hometown.
- He honed his poker skills in cash games in Atlantic City, and because he spent so much time in the casinos, people started calling him “No Home Jerome.” He used the ID of a co-worker named Jerome during this time.
- He won his first World Poker Tour in 2008 after making it to the final table for the eighth time. He outlasted Phil Hellmuth and seven other players.
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FAQs
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Conclusion
In summary, Phil Ivey’s life story is an exciting journey of a poker genius who went beyond the usual limits of the game. Starting from playing on the streets of New Jersey, he became a famous figure in high-stakes poker globally. Despite facing legal issues and controversies, Ivey’s smart strategies and unwavering dedication are evident. His impact on the poker world is unforgettable. Ivey’s tale is one of overcoming challenges, achieving success, and proving he’s a genuine poker legend.
