Phil Ivey arrived in London with the goal to leave an unforgettable mark on the Triton Poker series. After clinching the $25,000 short deck turbo event, he returned home with two more trophies and added $280,500 to his poker coffers. His victory only came four days after winning $ 1 million in the $62,400 buy-in turbo event. Ivey, now closely follows Jason Koon, who clinched his 9th title in London this year, making him the second-placed Triton Poker player in the overall tally sheet.
Love for the Game
Ivey has enjoyed an incredible career in poker because he loves the game. He developed his poker skills by competing in New Brunswick, New Jersey, against his co-workers in a telemarketing firm in the late 90s. As a teenager, he also earned the nickname “No Home Jerome” for using a fake identity card to play this card game in Atlantic City. His other nickname is “the Tiger Woods of Poker.” Many poker enthusiasts consider Ivey an exemplary all-around player globally. He was even elected to the Poker Hall of Fame in 2017.
The ten-time WSOP (World Series of Poker) bracelet winner isn’t done yet after his Triton victory. He told commentators that he loves playing the game, so hopefully, he will get a few more awards and the top position in the Triton Poker Series in the future.
Koon and Ivey
Jason Koon and Phil Ivey were the star players in the Triton Poker London series. In the last six months, Koon earned over $8.8 million from tournaments and is positioned in a virtual 3-way tie with Daniel Negreanu and Stephen Chidwick. He seems to be in top shape to challenge Kenney-Bonomo for the number top spot.
On the other hand, Ivey proves to many poker players the possibility of remaining at the top continuously. Although the poker world is constantly changing, Ivey has always maintained his career’s prestige by competing for the highest stakes globally for 20 years.
These two poker legends have constantly improved their poker skills in every showdown. In all major poker tournaments that they participate in, fans are usually entertained with a great display of exemplary skills and strategies that usually ensures that they emerge among the winners. However, obtaining such perfection in poker requires constant practice. Fortunately, with online casinos, you can easily practice and play poker online in the comfort of your home. Most of these sites also allow you to play real money poker games and some also provide the best bonuses. To get the complete guide to the top-rated online poker real money sites, you can click here to learn more.
Low Number of Entries at the Tournament
Event #17 was one of the smallest tournaments most poker observers have ever experienced since it attracted only 33 entries, with 15 being re-entries. The prize pool wasn’t that appealing to the contestants, as it only amounted to $825,000. However, contrary to what many think, professional poker players aren’t motivated by prize money. They’re more thrilled with winning the poker event as they would rather face a worthy opponent whom they can engage in a battle of wits and skill.
Therefore, despite the low turnout, the tournament still delivered an impressive experience for poker fans globally. Exemplary players with outstanding accomplishments, like Jason Koon, Paul Phua, Daniel Dvoress, and Ivey, came and graced the tournament. Their presence in London for the event made the Triton Poker Series a global-standard tournament for card game enthusiasts. Moreover, they displayed everything that makes poker thrilling, like bluffs, strategies, and luck.
The Final Day of a Great Series
Although Ivey joined the final table without a chip lead, he secured the second position with his 74 antes. Danny Tang had the advantage as he came with 145 stacks. Tang performed incredibly but couldn’t outsmart the Poker Hall of Famer.
During the Event, Eng Ewe became the first player at the final table to cash out and walked home with $57,800. Thai Ha became fifth and earned $74,200, Daniel Dvoress was fourth and got $94,900, and Stephen Chidwick left with $123,800. Once these four players checked out, only Ivey and Tang remained on the table.
When the heads-up play started, Ivey had secured a 7-1 chip advantage. Therefore, he didn’t take time to shake off his opponent and clinch the $280,500 prize. Tang earned $193,800 for finishing second. This contest was Ivey’s second title of the Triton Poker London series, along with his second and sixth-place finishes.
Ivey The Poker Legend
Ivey has now earned over $40 million in live poker tournaments. In his over 20-year career in poker, he has participated and won in major poker tournaments such as WSOP, Triton, and WPT. Although he has made many accomplishments in poker tournaments, Ivey continues participating in more contests. According to him, his passion for the game keeps him coming back for more. This makes him a great source of inspiration for many upcoming pro poker players who also consider him the most decorated poker legend of our time.