Phil Ivey is a legend of the game, a Poker Hall of Famer, and a 10-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner. So why is everyone surprised that the man previously known as ‘No Home Jerome’, because he was unable to stay away from the, felt so surprised that he has arrived in Las Vegas to play the 2022 WSOP on the opening day?
Having not played at all during the 2021 World Series of Poker, Ivey’s return to action means that the 10-time bracelet winner may have his eye on moving into second place on his own, and away from Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan in the record books, only behind Phil Hellmuth at the top of the charts.
What is a World Series of Poker Bracelet?
A World Series of Poker bracelet is the trophy awarded to poker players who finish top of a tournament leaderboard after being left with all the chips. Often referred to as the most coveted prize in poker, the man with the most of them is Phil Hellmuth, who has won 16 career WSOP bracelets.
Phil Ivey is just six behind his fellow Phil, however, having won 10 bracelets. Many observers believe Ivey to be the better all round player, but there is no doubt about which player has done better at the World Series, with the Poker Brat not only half a dozen clear of his great rival, but also being known for winning both the WSOP Main Event and WSOP Europe Main Event for millions of dollars.
Ivey may sit higher than Hellmuth, but the most prized jewelry in poker is up for grabs in a record-breaking 102 events this year, as well as a Tournament of Champions which closes the schedule. That event will be one that Phil Ivey is eligible for.
Could Ivey Win His 11th WSOP Bracelet This Summer?
Phil Ivey is already off to a good start, having finished 7th in the $100,000-entry Event #2, the high roller Bounty event. Claiming several $25,000 bounties, Ivey min-cashed for over $133,000, building a bankroll that will allow him to play plenty of smaller events before dipping into his own – or others if he sells action – funds.
Ivey’s return to form in Triton Poker events earlier this year, especially in Cyprus where he won millions and the leaderboard itself also saw him cash three times in Madrid. With over $36 million in live tournament earning on The Hendon Mob website, Ivey could well add to his winnings by way of seven figures before the summer is over. Why couldn’t that include a WSOP bracelet win? It’s hard to think of a resurrection better than Ivey’s, but somehow we found five.
Ivey, whose stake in a cannabis company went up in smoke a few years ago and was confirmed in 2022, has 10 WSOP bracelets like Doyle ‘Texas Dolly’ Brunson and Johnny ‘The Orient Express’ Chan. Ivey, if he applies himself, is surely a favorite to at least put himself in the position to win bracelet #11.
Fantasy Draft Sees Ivey go For a Steal
“Ivey went for a much lower price of $33 to Team Dan Shak.”
Phil Ivey may not have been present, but he was up for drafting at the 2022 $25k WSOP Fantasy Draft, where Daniel Negreanu went for a record price of $111.
Ivey went for a much lower price of $33 to Team Dan Shak, but that price could look like amazing value if Ivey, as some predict, plays over 35 events on the WSOP schedule and really pushes for his first WSOP bracelet since 2014.
With Ivey sure to play the biggest events, those bonus points could rack up one of the highest draft scores if the poker legend goes deep in more events. Ivey probably won’t care, just focused on the next hand, the next pot, the next bluff, call or raise.
One thing is guaranteed – the world will sit up and take notice – and there would be nothing more fitting at a new venue – if Ivey claimed gold in 2022.
Photo courtesy of PokerGO, home of the 2022 World Series of Poker, with final tables live streams throughout June and July.
