Poker legend Phil Ivey says his life was totally out of control in his late thirties following the edge sorting scandal. The American star gave a quick interview where he answered some quick questions from his fans and revealed that the last few years have been the worst in his life.
Rise to Stardom
Phil Ivey is thought by most to be the greatest poker player who ever lived. His rise to stardom in the nineties was unlike anything ever seen before from one so young.
He started his career playing using a fake ID at the Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City only a couple of hours from where he lived. Known to staff as Jerome he became famous for his 15 hour sessions where he would mix blackjack and craps with poker, day after day.
After a chance meeting with fellow legend Barry Greenstein he was able to get some tips on where he was going wrong and would later be invited to what is known as The Big Game at The Bellagio Casino, Las Vegas.
With a foothold in the high stakes world Ivey didn’t look back. Soon he would be one of the most feared no limit texas holdem cash game players in the world, and he was also picking up WSOP gold bracelets from the age of 23.
Phil Ivey Out of Control
When the now infamous 2012 edge sorting scandal hit the headlines nobody expected it to ruffle Ivey’s life too much.
Little did we know how that his life was to start unravelling.
An expensive divorce from his wife in 2011 cost him millions and $180,000 a month in alimony. Maybe this was the catalyst for what was to come.
Crockfords Casino in London and Borgata both won court cases against Ivey. In the UK the case made legal history regarding what constitutes dishonesty in a casino and is now used as a precedent.
Ivey was rumoured to be worth more than $100 million at the time but it came to light at last year’s WSOP that he was in fact being staked by Dan Jungleman Cates.
Borgata is still trying to claim their $10 million back from Ivey and took legal action to collect his prize from a WSOP event directly from the casino.
Is Ivey broke or just playing shenanigans with the legal system to avoid paying up?
Phil Ivey – Quickfire Questions
Who is your most inspirational person?
His grandfather.
What is your favourite album?
Jay Z – The Black Album
What would you be doing if not poker?
Ivey thinks working in the stock market would be likely but he isn’t so sure
What would you most like to be remembered for?
Philanthropy
Who would you like to be stuck in a lift with?
The Sadhguru
Who would you not like to be stuck in a lift with?
Any man or woman who wears a lot of perfume
What is the one thing you haven’t achieved yet?
A successful marriage
When was your life most out of control?
He says his late thirties
What is the best way for you to relieve tension?
Golf, meditation, and yoga
What subject would you like to learn more about?
Quantum physics
What is your favourite film?
Shawshank Redemption
Who is your childhood hero?
Magic Johnson
Do you have a favourite video game?
Pac Man
What do you want the most right now?
Working on staying present and making conscious decisions
If you could rid the world of one thing what would it be?
Ignorance
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