You have watched Hannibal Lecter. Remember his eyes when he was looking at a person (meaning his next diner)? Think one place in the poker platform that you can find the same set of eyes. Phil Ivey, right? If there is one person that has eyes that say and do more than words ever could then this is him. And probably this is one of his greatest strengths especially when he is on the real green. Bluffing with him around is one thing that will literally send chills up your spine.
Phil is the guy that displays professionalism, class and dignity in a game of poker. Sure some send chairs flying when they loose but not Phil. He takes it as just that; a game. No need to throw a tantrum. If you have fallen you wipe the dirt and move on. That is what he believes and that is what makes him one of the most charming personalities you will ever find in poker. He does not complain over and over when luck is not on his side. The litmus test was when a better full house from Chris Moneymaker made him loose. He simply shook his hand and walked away. Now that is real dignity. Away from the spotlight Phil is a married man (to the same girl that took his breadth away in high school) with a lovely kid.
Ivey started out in New Jersey’s Atlantic City to try out his luck. And this is when he was still 17. He had saved up enough cash to fuel his desire and a fake ID to gain entry into the casinos. His passion has not gone down one bit. This made him a world class player in no time at all but it was in the turn of the millennium that he turned pro. Right now most people that he is the best poker player on the planet and the demographics support that. He has six World Series’ bracelets and what is so amazing is that he collected them in the fastest time on record. He has not won any WPT’s but things are looking up for him. He does not shy away from the big pots where he sits on the same table as other greats like Chann and Gus.
Phil is known for giving his all into a game of poker. He brings out his A-game every time and this makes some guys from playing the same table with him. He won’t fold without sufficient reason, and when it comes to building chips in a matter of minutes then he is your man. Fearful is not a word that you would use to describe him because he does not hold back. The only thing that he is probably not too cheerful about is the fact that few people will give him a credit for a hand. But that not withstanding Phil is and will be one of the greatest players in poker for a long time.
This article was written by David L.