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Poker Profiles: Phil Ivey

California native Phil Ivey was born on February 1, 1976. His family, however, decided to move to New Jersey when he was three months old and lived there since then. Before Phil turned 20, he was so much into Poker and the world of gambling that he left his job at a telemarketing firm to pursue a professional Poker career. It was not until 2000 that he found his spot in the overcrowded place for card masters.

Phil Ivey took cash games a bit more seriously than joining tournaments. But since his Poker skills is of the same caliber as certified Poker stars Phil Hellmuth Jr. and Ted Forrest, tournament wins came as frequent as money pours in. He first won a World Series of Poker gold bracelet in 2000. Since then, it was a constant uphill climb to fame for Phil. 2002 was much better because it was when he tied with Phil Hellmuth and Ted for a record three bracelets pursed in a single year. He earned his fifth gold bracelet in 2005.

It was not just the WSOP that Phil has conquered in his colorful and downright successful Poker stint. He laso made serious winnings at the World Poker Tour, the European Poker Tour, and the European Poker Masters among others. Phil's final table appearances are just too many to count one by one. The same goes with his million dollar winnings. He is currently holding the top 10 spot on a list of best money finishers. That means, quite clearly, that Phil is a success.

If he is not making appearances in high stake tournaments, Phil is often seen circling around Las Vegas, winning jackpots night after night. The most probable reason he chose to settle in Vegas with his wife Luciaetta is to be where the real action is.

Aside from playing Poker in land based casinos, Phil is also busy in online gaming. He is part of the Full Tilt Poker team, playing high stake limit and no limit hold'em games with people from all over.

Away from Poker, Phil is a true blue basketball (not tennis, as some people may think since he looks like another version of the great Tiger Woods) fan often caught wearing jerseys. His favorite NBA teams are Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets. He also loves the thrill of video gaming. Lately, Phil is taken aback by the allure of golf. He even joined a World Series of Golf tournament and managed to bag the third place. No, he is not yet an expert golfer. The reason Phil took third place is because the tournament is basically a cross between golf and yes, Poker. But soon enough, with this amazing player's disposition in every challenge that he takes, he is getting to the part where golf becomes not just a hobby.