Phil Ivey Opens Up in Rare Interview for DAT Poker Podcast’s 100th Episode
For the 100th episode of the DAT Poker Podcast, hosts Adam Schwartz, Terrence Chan, and Daniel Negreanu, along with Producer Ross, were joined by a special guest – one Mr. Phil Ivey!
The Global Poker Award-nominated podcast had long teased that they hoped to have Ivey for episode No. 100, and thanks to Negreanu’s longtime friendship with the 10-time bracelet winner, they were able to make it happen.
Ivey, who has proven one of the more challenging interview “gets” in the industry, chatted with the trio for nearly an hour.
“I just want to start off by saying it wasn’t very difficult to get me on the show, all Daniel had to do was message me,” Ivey quipped at the top of the show. He then explained a bit about his day-to-day life, which he described as “pretty boring” before saying that he’s been working on himself, spending time with family, golfing, meditating, and yoga. He also mentioned he’s excited poker is returning and “getting back out there again.”
“I never even gave it a thought of being scary or intimidating or anything like that."
Due to the pandemic, Ivey hasn’t been able to travel, so it has been more than a year since he’s been able to get over to Macau. He proceeded to share some details on those near-mythical games, his early days grinding in Atlantic City, and why poker is no longer the No.1 priority in his life anymore.
When asked whether or not his intimidating image was something he cultivated, Ivey responded:
“I never even gave it a thought of being scary or intimidating or anything like that. People tell me this, and I’m like, ‘Whoa, wait a second, really?’ When I first heard it I’m like, ‘Really?’ But then when I look at myself on TV, I’m like ok, I can kind of see it now, I am pretty intense.”
There was also a “Fact or “Fiction” segment in which Ivey either confirmed, denied or offered no comment on various urban legends surrounding him.
Here are some other topics discussed over the course of the episode:
- Ivey’s thoughts on the World Series of Poker (WSOP)
- How he thinks he’d do battling Phil Hellmuth
- Looking back on the 2009 WSOP Main Event final table
- His relationship with Chip Reese
- Slapping Daniel Negreanu in the face
- Ivey’s money management skills
- Mike Sexton and golf stories against Michael Jordan
- Ivey’s thoughts on cryptocurrency
Negreanu also asked Ivey if he could compete in the high roller scene nowadays.
“I don’t know. I’ve done very well in high rollers up until now in my lifetime. So far so good,” Ivey replied. Negreanu then asked if Ivey did any sort of studying. “I don’t, I just play, but I’m gonna start studying and putting some time and energy into it.”
Schwartz chimed in asking if Ivey has gotten into solvers. “No, I have not, but apparently I should,” Ivey revealed.
Finally, Negreanu asked if Ivey plans to fire the upcoming WSOP bracelet events.
“100 percent if I’m in town,” Ivey stated, no doubt to the thrill of many a poker fan. That led Negreanu to ask a follow-up question – does Ivey think he could pass Hellmuth in gold bracelets in the next 10-15 years?
“Yeah, I think I could contend for it if I played all of the events, sure. It would be nice to pass him. Am I going to prioritize it? No, I’m not.”
Watch the full interview here:
