Phil Ivey Biography: Hello Readers, If you’ve ever watched a high-stakes poker game, you’ve probably seen Phil Ivey’s name come up as the guy who doesn’t just play – he dominates. Known as the “Tiger Woods of Poker,” this quiet powerhouse from New Jersey has racked up more World Series of Poker bracelets than almost anyone. At 48, he’s still out there making deep runs in tournaments and proving why he’s considered the best all-around player ever.
In this 2025 biography, we’ll break down his life from those early card games with his grandpa to his latest cash at the tables. I’ll keep it straightforward, like we’re just talking poker over coffee. Let’s deal in.
Phil Ivey Wiki / Bio
Here’s a quick overview of Phil Ivey’s key details as of 2025 – all the essentials in one spot for easy scanning.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Phillip Dennis Ivey Jr. |
| Date of Birth | February 1, 1977 |
| Age | 48 years old |
| Birthplace | Riverside, California, USA |
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) |
| Occupation | Professional Poker Player |
| Education | Attended Old Bridge High School, New Jersey; No higher education |
| Major Achievements | 11 WSOP Bracelets, 1 WPT Title, $54M+ in live earnings, Poker Hall of Fame (2017) |
| Net Worth (Est.) | $100–$125 million |
| Family | Parents: Phil Ivey Sr. and Pamela Ivey; Ex-Wife: Luciaetta Ivey (div. 2009); No children |
This table sums up why Ivey’s a legend – talent, wins, and a low-key vibe that keeps fans hooked.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Phil Ivey’s net worth in 2025 clocks in at an estimated $100–$125 million, built on decades of smart plays at the tables and beyond. His live tournament earnings alone top $54 million, but that’s just the tip – high-stakes cash games have netted him tens of millions more, like that $16.6 million heads-up win against Andy Beal back in 2006.
Income breaks down like this: WSOP and WPT prizes bring in big chunks during events, while private nosebleed games in Vegas or Macau add steady cash. He’s earned from endorsements with sites like Full Tilt (before the scandals) and now reps for brands in the poker world. Investments in real estate and his app, Ivey Poker, round it out. Even after legal hits like the edge-sorting cases, his focus on skill over flash keeps the money rolling in quietly.
Early Life
Phil Ivey’s story starts simple in Riverside, California, on February 1, 1977, but his family packed up for Roselle, New Jersey, when he was just three months old. Growing up in a working-class home, money was tight, but games weren’t. His grandfather, Leonard “Bud” Simmons, taught him five-card stud at age eight – not to encourage gambling, but to show the risks with bottom-dealt cards. Little did Bud know, it’d spark a fire.
As a teen, Phil was hooked on strategy – chess, video games, anything competitive. He’d sneak into Atlantic City casinos with a fake ID under the name “No Home Jerome,” losing big at first but learning fast. Those dusty card rooms built his edge, turning a kid from Jersey into a pro by his early 20s. It’s the kind of grit that makes his wins feel earned, not lucky.
Education
School was never Phil’s main game. He went to Old Bridge High School in New Jersey, where he kept decent grades but spent more time thinking about cards than classes. No college for him – poker was his classroom. He soaked up knowledge from books on game theory, probabilities, and psych, plus endless hours at the tables. Wins and losses were his teachers, sharpening that analytical mind better than any degree could. At 48, it’s clear: real-world reps beat textbooks every time.
Family
Family keeps Phil grounded, even in the high-roller world. His dad, Phil Ivey Sr., and mom, Pamela, raised him in Roselle with solid values – hard work and staying low-key. His grandfather Bud was the poker spark, and Phil honors him through the Budding Ivey Foundation, helping kids with education and literacy.
He was married to Luciaetta Ivey from 2002 to 2009; the split got messy over money, but they’ve both moved on. No kids, and Phil’s all about privacy – no social media drama or tabloid tales. He credits his folks for the support that let him chase cards full-time. In a spotlight sport, that’s rare and real.
Age
Hitting 48 in 2025, Phil Ivey’s age is like fine wine for poker – deeper reads, cooler heads, and zero quit. Born in ’77, he’s seen the game evolve from smoky rooms to global streams, adapting every step. Youth brought the bracelets; now, experience packs the deep runs. At this stage, most pros slow down, but Ivey? He’s still the one you fear at the final table.
Physical Stats
Phil cuts an imposing figure at 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall, with a solid 176–180 pounds (80–82 kg) that says he stays fit without the show. Dark hair, sharp eyes that miss nothing – it’s that calm stare across the felt that unnerves opponents. He keeps active with golf and workouts, but it’s all low-key. No gym selfies; just the build to last long sessions.
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Career Presence
Phil’s career is poker royalty – 11 WSOP bracelets (second only to Hellmuth’s 17), a WPT title in 2008, and nine WPT final tables. Started pro in the late ’90s, faking IDs in Atlantic City, then exploded with his first bracelet in 2000’s Pot-Limit Omaha. 2002 was magic: three bracelets in one year, tying records.
He’s a mixed-game wizard – No-Limit Hold’em, Omaha, H.O.R.S.E. – you name it, he owns it. High-stakes cash? Legendary, with stories of multimillion pots. Founded Ivey Poker app in 2012 for training, and he’s a Hall of Famer since 2017. Over $54 million in tourney cashes, but the real money’s in those unseen games. At 48, he’s the benchmark for every young shark.
Recent Updates
2025’s been classic Ivey – selective but sharp. He cashed $31,000 in a September event, keeping the streak alive. At the WSOP, he made waves: big stack in the $10K PLO8, first cash in the $100K High Roller, and a final table in the $25K H.O.R.S.E. chasing bracelet 12 (finished sixth in the $25K PLO). Busted early from the Main Event, but that’s poker.
Off-felt, he’s deep in the Onyx Super High Roller Series in Cyprus, locking $520K minimum in an August $102K event. No big scandals; just steady play proving he’s still the GOAT. Fans buzz about his TV cash game spots too – always a threat.
Public Image and Its Effect on His Finances
Phil’s image? The stoic king – unflappable, unbeatable, and private. Nicknames like “The Phenom” stick because he lets results talk. That aura pulls high-rollers to his tables, boosting cash game invites worth millions. Brands tap him for endorsements, and his rep weathers storms like the edge-sorting lawsuits (he won some back).
It shields his wallet too – no wild spending scandals mean steady growth. Controversies? They fade; his skill sells. At $100M+, that clean, commanding vibe turns respect into revenue, keeping him elite without the ego.
House
Phil keeps it private, but he calls Las Vegas home base – a sleek spot in the desert for those endless sessions. Whispers of a place in Absecon, New Jersey, for roots, and maybe a getaway in Cabo for golf and downtime. No mega-mansions flaunted; think secure, comfortable, with a poker nook. He owns luxury rides like Rolls-Royce Phantoms, but the houses? All about peace, not flash.
Movies and TV Shows
Phil’s no Hollywood star, but he’s dipped in. Played himself in the 2008 flick Yonkers Joe, a gritty gambling drama with Chazz Palminteri. TV-wise, he’s a fixture on poker broadcasts: High Stakes Poker, World Poker Tour finals, Full Tilt Million Dollar Cash Game, and Aussie Millions coverage. Cameos in docs and reality bits too, like Make-A-Wish casino fun. His screen time’s all about the game – intense, real, no scripts needed.
Conclusion
From a Jersey kid faking IDs to the poker throne at 48, Phil Ivey’s 2025 story is about quiet mastery over hype. Eleven bracelets, $100M+ fortune, and a legacy that scares pros – it’s proof talent plus grit wins big. Legal bumps and early busts? Just plot twists in a legend’s tale. As he eyes more tables, one thing’s clear: Ivey’s not done raising the bar. If poker’s a battlefield, he’s the general we all study.
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FAQs
What is Phil Ivey’s age in 2025?
He’s 48 years old, born February 1, 1977.
How tall is Phil Ivey?
Phil stands at 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm).
Who are Phil Ivey’s family members?
Parents: Phil Ivey Sr. and Pamela Ivey; Ex-wife: Luciaetta Ivey (divorced 2009); No children.
What is Phil Ivey’s net worth in 2025?
Estimated at $100–$125 million.
What are Phil Ivey’s major poker achievements?
11 WSOP bracelets, 1 WPT title, Poker Hall of Fame inductee (2017).
What recent poker event did Phil Ivey cash in during 2025?
He earned $31,000 in a September tournament and made deep WSOP runs, including a $25K H.O.R.S.E. final table.
