Phil Ivey Making Case As the Best Poker Player Ever

Among his peers, Phil Ivey has been considered the best all around poker player for quite a long time.  Ivey doesn't just win, he absolutely dominates in just about every game he plays.  Whether it's online or live, cash games or tournaments, few players command the type of respect he does when sitting down at a poker table. His opponent reading abilities are the stuff of legends and he is well versed at all poker forms and is a consistent winner at all game types and limits.

Prior to the beginning of this year's World Series of Poker, Ivey set up a number of prop bets with his peers which centered on him winning a coveted bracelet.  Though details on the prop bets are not known at this time, it is expected to be in the millions and Ivey must be raking in some serious money as he just won his 2nd bracelet of this year's series.  Interestingly, he became the second player to take down 2 bracelets this year, joining a fellow by the name of Brock Parker to accomplish the rare feat.

Ivey Moves to 6th Place All Time

The 2 bracelet wins now give Ivey 7 bracelet's total, moving him into a tie with Billy Baxter for 6th place on the all-time list. Previously, on June 4th, Ivey won bracelet number six by taking down Event 8, the $2,500 no limit deuce to seven lowball tournament.  He followed that up by taking event 25, $2,500 Omaha eight-or-better/seven-card stud eight-or-better tournament for $220,538.

The final table for this latest victory featured some real poker heavyweights and Ivey was able to outlast such accomplished players as Dutch Boyd, Jon Turner and Carlos Mortensen.  At the beginning of final table action, Ivey was seventh in chip count but he fought his way back to victory.  In fact, by the time he was heads up against Ming Lee, Ivey had the chip lead even though he did not eliminate any of the players at the table.

In the final hand, during the Stud 8 or better round, Ivey held two rolled up Queens and had Lee all in by 3rd street.  On 5th street, Lee had improved his hand to two Jacks but did not improve as Ivey took down the pot and the championship.

With the series only about halfway complete, it is not out of the realm of possibility that Ivey will win an unprecedented third bracelet this year.  I highly doubt anyone would take him on in a side bet against him.

Source:  www.aintluck.com