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 I first met
Phil Ivey after his phenomenal success at the World Series of Poker in 2002. Phil took home three gold bracelets that year (tying the record held by
Phil Hellmuth and
Ted Forrest for most wins in a single year). I saw him
from across the room at the Commerce Casino's California State Poker Championship and I decided I had to meet this poker sensation,
so I approached him and introduced myself. I think that he was a little shocked (maybe disappointed) that some girl was introducing
herself to him based on his great poker ability. Of course, since the poker boom, women (and men) approach him constantly.
For some time, when I ran into Phil on the tournament circuit, I tried to convince him that he should give me 7 Card Stud lessons.
He was always very pleasant when talking with me, but he chuckled when I would bring up the lessons. At first I was convinced
that I scared him, but the more that I have gotten to know him, the more I realize he has a reserved personality. I have seen
more of his personality come out lately. I imagine that it is partly because he deals with fans on a daily basis. I am still
puzzled that a world class poker player that is known for his aggressive style is as quiet and shy as he is.
Phil resides in Las Vegas with his wife and plays in the biggest cash games there. He also travels to Los Angeles sometimes for
big cash games there. Some opponents that he has played against are Doyle Brunson, Barry Greenstein, Chip Reese, Larry Flynt,
and the billionaire Andy Beal. Phil spends some of his time away from the poker table at the golf course. I have heard rumors
that when he first started playing golf he was hopeless (although if you saw him on ESPN shooting golf with Howard Lederer and
Robert Williamson, it doesn't seem to be a rumor), but that hasn't stopped him from betting thousands of dollars while on the green.
Phil is known to some as the Tiger Woods of poker, but I have to disagree. He is the Phil Ivey of poker, totally in a class
by himself. He is definitely my favorite tournament poker player and I love his aggressive style. When I watch him play in
tournaments, I am in awe by how focused he is. He seems to be paying attention to everything, absorbing every bit of
information that the other players give him. One example of this was on the "Earphones Please" Poker After Dark
television show. He was seated with five other players with four of them being borderline obnoxious or well over the border.
A normal player would have lost their cool. I would have run out of there screaming, but Phil sat there calm and collected
and ended up winning the one-table tournament.
Another great strength he has as a player, is not realizing how good he actually is. I have heard him comment on some of his
games and he really believes that he needs a lot of work on some of them. I think that is what makes him such a great player.
He is constantly working to make his game better.
Phil's World Poker Tour credits include a first place finish at the 2008 LA Poker Classic. Some other final tables include a third place finish at the season one
Foxwoods event, second at season one
Tunica, and third at the season one
World Poker Tour Championship. In season three,
he finished 6th at Borgata, 3rd at Reno Hilton, and third again at the World Poker Tour Championship. He has several World Series
of Poker bracelets. In 2000, he won the Pot Limit event, in 2002 he won the S.H.O.E, 7-Card Stud Hi-Lo Split, and the $1500
7 Card stud event and in 2005 he won the Pot Limit Omaha event. Other notable finishes are his first place finishes at
the 2004 Championship at Turning Stone and 2005 Monte Carlo Millions.
When I talk about Phil, people sense how enamored I am with him. One person said, "you have a crush on him, don't
you?" To which I responded, "I have a crush on his poker mind." You can play with Phil at his own table at
Full Tilt Poker.
Phil Ivey: English,
German,
French,
Spanish,
Italian,
Norwegian,
Swedish,
Portuguese,
Dutch and
Danish
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