A Profile of Poker Pro Phil Ivey

One of the most successful poker pros today is Phil Ivey. His superb and consistent brand of play has placed him among some of the best players who have ever played the game. Throughout the years, he has slowly established himself as one of the most dominant forces in the world of poker.

At a very young age of 23, Ivey has already achieved something most young players were unable to do. During this time, he has already won three championships at the World Series of Poker event. Having done all of these, major critics and observers of the game have already noticed his very great potential.

The popularity of Ivey took a major leap after he defeated poker expert Andy Beal in a heads-up match that took three days to complete. From that event alone, Ivey won a total of $16.6 million from Beal. It also earned him the respect of the whole poker world.

The humble beginnings of Ivey started off in the year 2000, where he participated in the Jack Binion World Poker Open tournament. From April 3 to 13, he finished no lower than the eighth place in four different events. He finished first in the Limit Hold'em event, eighth in the Limit 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo, eighth once again in the Pot Limit Omaha, and sixth in another Pot Limit Omaha event.

This major tournament gave Ivey a very boost in his confidence as well as his style of play. His successful stint here started a long list of major victories including a fifth place finish at the World Series of Poker No Limit Hold'em event and a first place finish at the Pot Limit Omaha event.

After these major victories, there seems to be no stopping Ivey as he took another impressive win at the Pot Limit Omaha event of the World Poker Finals in November 2000. In the following month, he joined the U.S. Poker Championship tournament and won first place in a No Limit Hold'em event. Not only that, he followed it up with a fifth place finish in a Limit Omaha Hi/Lo event.

Looking up on Ivey's record, one cannot but be amazed at his very impressive poker record. He consistently won in major tournaments, even winning first place at various events such as the L.A. Poker Classic in February 2002, the 33rd Annual World Series of Poker in April and May 2002, the Californian State Poker Championship in June 2002, the World Poker Tour Legends of Poker event in August 2002, and the Championship Poker at Turning Stone in July 2004.

The life of Ivey as a poker pro is indeed a respectable one. Only a few players have achieved the feat which he has done consistently and successfully. His life is worth a second look, especially for aspiring poker players who are planning to pattern their careers with that of successful poker pros.