biography about phil ivey

Phil Ivey is an American professional poker player widely regarded as one of the greatest talents in the history of the game. He was born on February 1, 1977, in Riverside, California, and grew up in Roselle, New Jersey. Ivey’s interest in poker started early, introduced to the game by his grandfather through five-card stud when he was a child. As a teenager, he used a fake ID to play poker in Atlantic City, earning the nickname "No Home Jerome" for being a regular. Ivey achieved his first major success in 2000 when he won his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet, becoming one of the youngest players to do so. Over his career, he has won 11 WSOP bracelets and one World Poker Tour title, making him one of the highest earners in live poker tournaments with over $52 million in cash prizes. He is known for his skills in multiple poker variants, including Texas Hold ’em, Omaha, and Seven Card Stud, and his remarkable ability to read opponents and maintain focus under pressure. Beyond tournaments, Ivey has earned significant winnings from high- stakes cash games and has been a pioneering figure in online poker. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2017. Ivey is often compared to Tiger Woods for his skill and dominance in poker and is admired for his strategic mind, fearless playing style, and influence on modern poker. His career has also seen some legal challenges related to edge sorting in casino games, but his legacy as a poker legend remains firmly intact.