Some poker players don’t brag; they don’t need to. Phil Ivey is a ten-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner and now he’s a member of the WSOP Poker Hall of Fame. This was the first year Ivey, now 40, was eligible for the honor. His 10 bracelets are second only to Phil Helmuth’s 14 bracelets and Ivey earned his diamonds and gold at a younger age than Helmuth did.
Current Hall of Fame members and a Blue Ribbon media panel cast their votes and chose to induct Ivey and David “Devilfish” Ulliot into the 2017 Hall of Fame Class. Now there can be no doubt in anyone’s mind that these two players have solidified their positions as two of the best poker players in the world.
All poker players know Ivey’s name and his name and image are easily recognized by almost everyone, having frequently appeared in national media, on lifestyle and sports magazines, and on television. His persona, skill, and fearless style of play have helped to dramatically increase the public’s awareness of poker and the popularity of the game.
In his typically gracious and humble style, upon learning of his induction Ivey said, “I want to thank the WSOP, the living members of the Hall of Fame as well as the media members who voted for me to be a part of the Poker Hall of Fame. It’s an honor to be inducted alongside legends like Chip Reese and Doyle Brunson.”
He continued, “I love the game of poker and the game has done a lot for me. I am one of the lucky people who was able to make a living playing a game that has always been my passion. Thankfully, I’m just as passionate about the game today as I was when I first stepped into Binion’s Horseshoe to play my first ever event. The WSOP holds a special place in my heart and it’s amazing to see how much it’s grown over the past 20 years. Thank you to my family, my friends, and all the poker fans across the world who have supported me on this journey.”
Ivey ranks 5th for all-time tournament winnings with more than $23 million to his credit. Players and spectators alike the world over know who Phil Ivey is and respect not only his prowess at the game but his steadfast and serious humility, tempered by his stone cold stare. The humility may be a virtue he learned by playing poker for five cent bets at his grandfather’s knee in New Jersey before he was ten years old. Or during later formative years when he would reportedly use fake IDs to get in on poker games in Atlantic City as a teen too young to enter the poker rooms legally.