07 Jan, 2005
Phil Ivey Interview on Card Player
Recently Phil had an interview in Card Player in which he reveals several things like his former identity as Jerome Graham, what he does to prepare himself to be the most feared player in poker, and why he has taken time off from the tournament circuit. The article is truly interesting and highly entertaining.
"CD: Is it easier for you to think that way because you’ve made so much money?
PI: I did that when I didn’t have any money. I’ve played in games where I needed to win. I’d leave myself with something in case of disaster. I’ve always put myself in the situation where it hurts a little bit if I lose. It wouldn’t be fun for me to play lower limits now. It wouldn’t sting. That’s why I took time off from tournaments, because I was playing so badly. I’d see side games at the tournaments where they were playing $4,000-$8,000, and first place would be $600,000 in the tournament. I’d dump off my chips. That’s why I won’t play now unless I try my hardest. I made my mind up right before I went to Turning Stone. I told my wife that I wasn’t going to be traveling to play tournaments unless I put all of my attention into it. It’s just a waste of money otherwise. From now on, there are no excuses, because I’m trying my hardest."
Read the whole article here: http://cardplayer.com/poker_magazine/archives/showarticle.php?a_id=14359