Where is Poker Legend Phil Ivey Now in 2024? - 33rd Square (2024)

Phil Ivey is undoubtedly one of the best poker players of all time. With an impressive 10 World Series of Poker bracelets and well over $30 million in career tournament earnings, Ivey has solidified his place among poker‘s elite. But you may be wondering, where is Phil Ivey now and what is he up to these days? Let‘s take a closer look at what the legendary poker pro has been working on recently.

Ivey Remains in Las Vegas Playing High Stakes Cash Games

According to close friends, Ivey still resides primarily in Las Vegas where he continues to regularly play nosebleed cash games. While he doesn‘t travel the tournament circuit nearly as much as he used to, Ivey prefers to grind it out in Bobby‘s Room at the Bellagio playing mixed games and heads-up.

In an interview last year, Ivey revealed "I‘ve really been focused on cash games rather than tournaments over the last few years. I‘ll still play a few big events here and there if the timing is right, but cash games are my priority right now." This aligns with what Daniel Negreanu recently said about Ivey rarely leaving Vegas these days.

Though he keeps a lower profile than many pros, the poker community in Las Vegas often spots Ivey putting in long sessions at stakes that only a handful of players in the world can afford. His passion clearly remains playing the biggest cash games on the planet.

Ivey‘s Recent Tournament Results – The Comeback Continues

After stepping away from tournaments for a couple years, Ivey made his return in 2019 and immediately found success again. He proved he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level by winning a Short Deck event at the 2019 WSOP for $424,374.

While he doesn‘t play nearly as many events as some other top pros, Ivey has continued to post impressive results over the last four years:

Most recently, Ivey finished as runner-up in the $100,000 High Roller event at 2022 L.A. Poker Classic for over $560,000. This marked his third final table appearance in just a few weeks, proving the 46-year old legend still has plenty left in the tank.

As reported by PokerNews, Ivey reflected "I’m definitely getting back into tournament shape. It’s just taken some time to get my energy levels back to playing long days again."

While he focuses primarily on cash games, Ivey‘s return to poker tournaments has been an exciting development for fans hoping to see him continue competing at the highest level.

Ivey‘s Net Worth Stands at $100 Million in 2024

According to most reports, Phil Ivey‘s current net worth is estimated to be around $100 million. Considering his lifetime tournament earnings exceed $31 million, the vast majority of Ivey‘s wealth has come from his poker results over the years.

Unlike some other prominent players, Ivey has not supplemented his income with major sponsorship deals or business ventures outside of poker. He has been able to amass his impressive net worth strictly from profits at the table over his long career.

Of course, high stakes cash games have provided the biggest portion of Ivey‘s income. By playing mixed games and heads-up matches against billionaire businessmen and other pros in Bobby‘s Room, Ivey has been able to steadily build his bankroll. Conservative estimates put his total poker earnings somewhere between $150-$200 million.

At his current lifestyle with no signs of slowing down, most projections expect Ivey‘s net worth to remain around the $100 million mark for the foreseeable future. Not a bad pension for playing cards!

Borgata and Crockfords Lawsuits Damage Ivey‘s Finances and Reputation

While Ivey was steadily building his net worth year after year, two major lawsuits in the early 2010‘s nearly derailed his career. Ivey was embroiled in litigation with Borgata Casino and Crockfords Casino after being accused of using edge sorting techniques to gain an unfair advantage playing baccarat.

In 2012, Ivey won close to $10 million playing baccarat at Borgata in Atlantic City. When casino officials reviewed tape of Ivey‘s play, they determined he had exploited imperfections on the card backs to increase his chances of winning. Despite Ivey‘s insistence he did nothing illegal, Borgata sued and courts eventually ruled he had to repay his winnings.

A nearly identical situation occurred in 2014 when Ivey beat Crockfords Casino in London for almost £8 million playing Punto Banco. Once again, Ivey used edge sorting to identify high value cards. After another lengthy legal battle, a judge ruled in the casino‘s favor, costing Ivey millions.

All told, the two lost lawsuits totaled over $25 million in seized winnings for Ivey. The ordeal also seriously damaged his reputation as one of the most respected gamblers in the world. Ivey maintains he merely used observation to gain an advantage, as skilled pros do. But the court rulings still impact his standing years later.

What Does the Future Hold for Phil Ivey?

As he now approaches 50 years old, the obvious question becomes – how much longer can we expect Phil Ivey to remain an elite poker player? While retirement is likely drawing nearer, he has proven beyond doubt that he still has world class skill.

I believe Ivey is determined to keep playing as long as he remains sharp and energized by the competition. He seems rejuvenated after returning to tournaments the last few years. The fire to compete appears strong as ever based on his recent results.

Realistically, I expect to continue seeing Ivey play most of the big events on the international poker calendar for at least the next 3-5 years. After that, he may cut back his tournament schedule significantly. But it‘s hard to imagine him not playing the World Series of Poker and a few other marquee events even into his mid-50‘s.

Of course cash games will remain part of his poker diet long term. Even when he stops playing tournaments regularly, Ivey will likely still frequent Bobby‘s Room looking for big action. His mastery of mixed games means he can keep playing those formats profitably for a long time.

Outside of poker, it will be interesting to see if Ivey pursues any major projects, like starting a company or becoming an investor. He certainly has the capital and connections to explore new ventures. But for now, his full attention appears focused on poker.

Ivey‘s Legacy as One of the Greatest Ever Is Secure

Regardless of how many more years he continues playing, Phil Ivey‘s place in poker history is firmly cemented. Along with legends like Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, Daniel Negreanu and his contemporaries, Ivey will be remembered as one of the greatest poker players ever.

His ability to win bracelets in five different decades (1990‘s – 2020‘s) is an incredible achievement that illustrates his longevity and sustained excellence. Ivey has routinely demolished the very best players in the world and won more money than anyone could reasonably spend in a lifetime.

While some critics may point to Ivey‘s court losses and edge sorting controversies as blemishes, his overall body of work speaks for itself. With 10 bracelets and the highest level of respect from his peers, Ivey‘s legacy as a poker genius is beyond dispute.

So while you may not see Phil Ivey‘s name in the headlines quite as much these days, rest assured this poker legend remains laser focused on what he does best – winning money playing cards! Wherever there is major poker action to be found, that is right where you‘ll also find Ivey battling for big pots. I know I speak for all poker fans when I say we can‘t wait to see what he‘ll accomplish next!

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