Phil Ivey: The Tiger Woods of Pro Poker Circuit

He may be young and only at his late twenties, but Phil Ivey has made a name and a reputation in the pro poker circuit. He is considered as one of the best players there is by his fans and by his pro colleagues. Ivey has already earned the most bracelets in one year, making him a title holder for his 2002 World Series of Poker performance in the following events: the Seven-card stud Hi/Lo, Seven-card stud and S.H.O.E.. He has earned five World Series of Poker bracelets and has always been at the top 25 list from 2002 to 2005.

Ivey's approach to his game play is hyper-aggressive, as to appropriately describe it. Many players have been intimidated by Ivey's style; even the experienced pros in league had their taste of his fierce game play. Ivey is quite proud of himself because discovering his skills in poker was self-taught and experience was his best teacher.

Phil Ivey has accumulated many other achievements in the recent events. The November 20, 2005 Monte Carlo Millions tournament, Ivey championed and took with him $ 1 million cash prize. Just after four days, he won 1st place again at the Fulltiltpoker.com invitational with a cash prize of $ 600,000. Cash games are more appealing to Phil Ivey, but as of 2005 he has earned a whopping $ 5.4 million in tournament games.

Ivey has always loved playing poker even when he was still working at a telemarketing company, where his friends even helped him widen his playing skills. Ivey is so focused on his goal that nothing seems to stop him. He grew up in New Jersey and as a teen he often goes to Atlantic City taking along with him a fake ID so he could enter the casinos and play. He then got the nickname 'No Name Jerome' due to the fake name he had on the ID, Jerome Graham. Ivey's first taste of popularity circled around the video gaming circuit prior to his success in the pro poker circuit.

At a young age, Ivey's career is still rising. It is quite overwhelming that a young man such as Phil Ivey has accomplished a lot in the span of ten years. Just making it through the final tables of the World Poker Tour is an accomplishment on its own, and winning the major events is the crowning glory of it all. Ivey is dubbed as the Tiger Woods of pro poker, but he truly believes he still has a long way to go and humbly declines the title. He may look like a typical newbie, but Phil Ivey has a pro's resume and experience to back his every performance at the tables. He is one young pro poker player to watch out for.