What Makes Phil Ivey The GOAT? [Untold Stories]

[@PhilGalfond]

Hey guys, as you can probably tell, a lot of effort went into this video. This is a style I've never tried before, and I'd be curious to hear what you think! PS - free strategy and mindset content directly from me here: philgalfond.com/mindset-yt

[@ryanmcgee1797]

Noticed. Looks great! Thanks for the great content recently, you have helped my game grow.

[@willh4340]

I really, truly enjoyed the clips of other, in some instances, even more notable players (like Negraneau) to say what they felt about Phil, and how great he is!

[@JT-he7fw]

Very professional. Great work

[@impracticallyperfect8987]

Nice production

[@0524432]

Great video thanks

[@blazeron12]

Ivey calling you on the phone to get reads off of you is legendary

[@tron1007r]

BEYOND LEGENDARY

[@AldoRain87]

This was fantastic. Felt like a professional documentary. More please.

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you! It felt professional because my team is awesome!

[@Realnamenogimmicksdude]

@@PhilGalfond Phil Ivey has never won a cent online @ a site he didn't own, lost 3 million on PokerStars and is down on full tilt post him owing it, interesting isnt it? That's not a docu it a fanboy video filled with lies

[@johnreidy2804]

He's jus better than you so forget it

[@LiamGervaise]

@@johnreidy2804John I think you’re too old to be on the internet buddy let’s get you back to bed old man

[@boomshakalaka8655]

phil ivey is the goat and its sad there is not more documentaries about him. I think its cause hes black or maybe to quiet people don't care to make videos about him. He made more money then anyone period in online poker in a span over a decade online against the best players in the world before they were cheating with rta. He was the very best in a dominate way.

[@lncprkns5513]

Around the 13 min. mark, about how Ivey has adjusted to the solver generation, was interesting as it parallels how the top chess player, Magnus Carlsen, has adjusted to playing against younger players that have spent a ton of time learning via computer. Play in an unorthodox fashion to get people to areas they haven't studied as much or at all and then it becomes about instinct and experience.

[@mumbaikachallenge5526]

Perfect

[@grantroman7517]

I had this exact same thought. “You must take your opponent into a deep dark forest where 2 + 2 = 5 , and the path leading out is only wide enough for one”- The Magician from Riga

[@mediumroller9118]

thought the same thing!, take them out of prep. so cool.

[@Alexander_Tronstad]

Magnus vs Ivey HU would be highly interesting TV.

[@olilane8]

excellent comparison

[@kimchidooboo]

Can listen to you tell poker stories about any player all day, really enjoyed this! 💯

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you!! I'll have to think of more stories... You don't get many great stories when 98% of your play is online. Unless Phil Ivey calls you, of course.

[@tiltwang2323]

⁠@@PhilGalfond I have a sick/funny Ivey hand story. It was 2012 at Wynn Macao. We were playing 2/5k HKD NL with 3Vips on the table. Everyone had abt 500k-1m stack, except Ivey who had 2.5m+. There is one hand where Ivey was in the sb I was in bb. The vip one seat to my left made the utg(a reg) straddle to 10k so he can double straddle to 20k and the vip to his left triple straddle to 40k. Everyone folded to Ivey who opens for 110k, I folded the utg called and the 40k straddle also called. 3ways flop came 9♠️9♦️5♠️, Phil Cbet 200k, Utg folds and the vip called with roughly 450k behind after the call. Turn was 7♠️, Phil bet again for 400k and the Chinese vip stands up from his chair says “you have AceKing, CALL!” Now the pot is over 1.5m with vip has only 5-60k behind. River came the 8♠️. Phil snap puts the vip allin. The vip shook his head and made the call. Phil said “you’re good” and turns over K♣️T♦️, the Vip turns over 45 of ❤wins the pot with bottom pair…… after few rounds the 3Vips all got up at the same time and left. So all the regs racks up their chips and as the game are breaking, Phil said “anyone wanna play HU?”. No one said a word and left.

[@cricket915jb]

That story of when I've called you up is pure gold

[@adragonro]

😂​@@cricket915jb

[@californiasunshine_777]

As a regular in Atlantic City who started playing poker at around exactly the same time (mid 90s) as Phil, I used to play 1/3 stud with him at Resorts when he first started. Later when I moved up a little, I played 5/10 stud with his dad at Taj on many occasions. Used to see him all the time at Taj and Tropicana and am friends with his friend Eric and others he was friends with. After not seeing him for several years after he moved to Las Vegas, I saw him at Binion's during the WSOP many years ago on a trip out there, and he immediately recognized me and gave a friendly head nod. I still can't believe what happened with him. It's kind of surreal remembering back to the old 1/3 limit days at Resorts. I got some stories also.

[@russellalesi5715]

This one is suspect because Phil was never close to his dad who actually abandoned him and I don't believe his dad ever played poker....

[@californiasunshine_777]

@@russellalesi5715 I was a regular in Atlantic City. He knows me. I know a bunch of his friends from east coast... very well. I don't have any reason to lie or anything to gain. A guy several other people said was his dad, used to play 5/10 stud at Taj Mahal often. I never saw them together. I played many thousands of hours of poker in AC.

[@アマ-p2l]

@@californiasunshine_777 Do share stories, was he always unexploitable and a mind reader or did he have to learn to use voodoo first? When you say you can't believe what happened to him do you mean his genius was less noticable back then or that despite his skill it's weird to see someone become a TV persona when you just sat next to them?

[@CesarMartinez-nu3if]

@@russellalesi5715you sure know more about Ivey more than the person who played poker with him huh

[@missique1324]

Used to Deal Poker to Phil at the Taj in AC he has those piercing eyes !

[@Jayson-e1k]

When Moneymaker busted him at the WSOP, .. Phil's demeanor and class after just shows you how much experience he has been through

[@andrewwatson8591]

I think he understands game flow more than anyone. He is a step ahead based on what happened the last 20 min etc

[@PhilGalfond]

Yeah, game flow, psychology, leveling. He may be the best ever at it.

[@LiquidKaos1911]

@@PhilGalfond if One with the flow - and listen+Act from within it - that IS the level of perception required at all times, in all spots, in every situation to allow for maximum discrimination of Signal vs. Noise. The Signal will not change throughout the course of a hand, a table, a tournament, a Life.

[@michaelss1294]

@@PhilGalfond, Ivey used to be great. But nowadays the top poker players have surpassed Ivey. Stop bootlicking Ivey.

[@derekluna7700]

​@@michaelss1294 that J7 vs TT is a standard headsup hand lol. Galfold is like omg he double barrelled without top pair lol.

[@0500MUSIC]

@@michaelss1294this is typical with all competitive games/sports though.

[@smoothonthebeat]

When you said I think Phil was trying to get a read on me over the phone, I was done 🤣

[@barthilhorst7551]

What an awesome video. Great production quality and I love the many stories. This video is also a big compliment to Ivey himself. Keep it coming!

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you so much! Ivey is incredible, so I'm happy to be giving him a compliment.

[@dewey-cox]

@@PhilGalfond you should really credit the interviewer...

[@OneOut1]

Excellent video for those interested in this subject matter.

[@kbscores]

Both you and Phil Ivey are two of my favorite players. I loved the stories and seeing this side of both of you. Well done!

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you so much!

[@footballmangerchampion2023]

I have been watching poker for a while I never heard of u until now..I'm going to start following u maybe my game will raise

[@colesouth]

Awesome stories. Enigma is right that’s for sure. I battled Phil tons online and live, worked with him on 2 poker sites, and he’s still mostly a mystery to me. Most of all I’m impressed how he’s done so and been so intimidating across the board - while generally remaining a likable guy who commands respect from everyone in poker. That’s so hard to do over 20+ years in an industry that loves gossip and drama.

[@PhilGalfond]

So well said, Cole! Incredible that he’s managed to keep that level of mystique, intimidation, and likability.

[@ianboylan1981]

The genuine respect you have for him really shines through. Love that you included the Jackson hand, it is an amazing hand to showcase how incredible he really is. The man who did not blink. Great video Phil.

[@jordanBFClad]

Mesmerising player, he shows no emotion or fear. He’s in his own world.

[@norbertm.7448]

This was amazing, loved the stories. Definitely my favorite poker video in 2023

[@PhilGalfond]

Amazing. Thank you so much!

[@emphyriohazzl1510]

Wow amazing! Stu had "One of a kind : the rise and fall of Stu Ungar', now Ivey got "The one who didn't blink" :). Well done, thanks for the amazing effort put into it! ❤

[@lukefraga8385]

This is like ABC documentary level stuff, doing this production all by urself is insane definitely earned the Sub 🤝

[@Pokerfarhang]

Wow this was great, thank you Phil and team, you are the best 🙏❤

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you so much for the kind words and for acknowledging the team!

[@LowTide941]

Great concept. Great execution. Would watch more of these

[@PhilGalfond]

Awesome, thank you! I know the team will love to hear that, too. They worked hard!

[@Hice_T]

Phil Ivey beating Andy Beal and getting the money back for The Corporation is legendary.

[@Podobed]

Yea but he had a huge edge and it was pretty much guaranteed. Of course the previous nits that played won some or lost- they had no business playing hu

[@Chino-bk9fd]

harman was the one who beat andy

[@AwarenessForex]

you have a video link for this win?

[@Hice_T]

@@AwarenessForex kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJ-4qYygfbJgh5Isi=4tE-_MX99aQE6Jlj

[@LMW87MMA]

@@AwarenessForexit was a private game in Bellagio in 2006. Good book on it: “the professor, the banker and the suicide king”. No video

[@charlesdicus6451]

Bro the chris moneymaker suckout is actually such a huge moment in the history of poker, doesn't get talked about enough.

[@Giropafiroure]

Now we want the docu about you Phil. You’re the real goat for a lot of us. I’m from Spain and I’ve been playing online profesionally for years and your youtube vídeos were my first reference and the way I started to understand the game.

[@EricEbsen]

Hell of a video Phill. I got the pleasure playing with Ivy last weekend at the WPT MUG. He certainly has an aurora around him.

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you 😊

[@magnusred2945]

How did you do?

[@pugdova1138]

Great video!!! The hand that made me a forever fan of Phil Ivey was a hand that he lost -- the classic Dwan bluff vs Ivey's fifth pair. He was so close to calling -- I watch that video every once in awhile in the hopes that he finally calls it down :)

[@justincoughlan7984]

This was incredibly well produce. Thank you and congrats to you and the team that put it together. I'm now really excited to see where you take your content creation journey.

[@wesyoung9150]

I remember playing with him in wsop tournament around 2009. The guy had an aurora about him. Everyone in the room was watching him and I’ll never forget he looked at me and gave me the head nod. He never said a word the entire day.

[@randylahey8207]

That Monte Carlo hand is still the greatest I've ever seen. Watched it when first came out and just could not believe it. Still can't.. 🐐...

[@PhilGalfond]

Yeah, it's such a pure, amazing poker hand.

[@wendklenff133]

Jeez, Phil, this channel is a gem for every pokerplayer and human in general. Congrats on the quality and your team, keep it coming :)

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you so much!

[@kindnesslove5482]

Amazing tribute video Phil! Really appreciated this one. Amazing thing about Ivey was his extreme confidence and presence at his peak. To be willing to do the Monte Carlo play or the 52 shove vs Lex says it all. Veeery few are able to do that. And of those very few EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM is not as disciplined as Ivey was in his prime to only do it when his gut told him it would work like a 100% of the time based on his read and that's why he did it. Not just recklessness plus a read. I feel very bad for him about his legitimate table games addiction. It was clear to me as someone who struggled with the same thing it was a legitimate addiction, not healthy for his overall life and career. Then toss the FTP and divorce on top. Happy to see him thriving now. He is a really sweet man, and been a little too hard on himself for his mistakes. It got him down a few years undeservedly so. He gave so much joy to so many by being who he was. That extra mystery and aura of excellence to aspire to and wonder at.

[@princeofpower8413]

I got so stoked when I saw this pop up on my feed and it did not disappoint! Great job Phil! I hope you make more mini documentaries like this. 👍👍

[@vivaldoreyes777]

Yall cant imagine the motivation y just got With this video. Thanks so much Phil Galfond

[@w0rkboots]

Incredible video Phil. More documentaries like this please

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you so much! Looks like we might need to make it happen!

[@CatMouse5]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video, it was great! Everything flowed well and I wanted to watch it twice in a row you the man 🤘

[@PhilGalfond]

You’re very welcome!

[@leonmozambique533]

Ivey is the greatest poker player of all time. maybe not mathematically but his understanding of pyschology and the ability to get into your mind was unparalleled.

[@kingcharlesparody]

Wrong - that would be Hellmuth

[@patricklynn5855]

Great video Phil - Ivey is a fascinating character and the more information we get to hear about him from people who get to play with him is amazing

[@pokematt]

Loved the video and can tell you put a lot of work into it. The personal stories add a lot to the quality as well and provide insight that really make add a nice personal touch as well. Keep it up!

[@PhilGalfond]

Thanks so much. It's helpful to hear that the personal stories add value. Will keep that in mind for future videos!

[@chiubakka]

I can rarely sit through entire videos anymore with how terrible my attention span is, but I was glued to my seat for this one! Thanks for the AMAZING content.

[@NotInAsia]

You can have all the 'solvers' you want and play a very technically 'sound' game, gto etc, but the fact is, we're humans, we are emotional, we are affected by many factors, and one of the biggest factors is how we're 'running' over shortish periods, sometimes we have all been impulsive and made calls we know we shouldn't out of sheer frustration, that is where I think Ivey maintained his edge.

[@bentobul5932]

I love the way you do interviews as if someone is actually sitting across asking the questions.

[@rblongfellow]

Ivey taught us all how to behave ourselves when playing the game. ❤

[@lordhuebi]

My favorite video on this channel. Could watch Ivey content all day. Thanks Phil!

[@mmfb88]

The implications of that hand vs moneymaker were INSANE. If Ivey wins that hand decent chance he goes on to win the whole thing and poker probably doesn’t boom anywhere close to where it did. Phil Ivey doesn’t get stupid rich from full tilt, negreanu from poker stars, hell there’s a decent chance I’m not even posting this comment on your channel because you chose a different path other than poker. I could go on and on. Having Phil lose that hand to moneymaker was massively + EV for the poker economy.

[@alexatedw]

Nah. There was a lot of game left

[@rockolee]

very well done Phil, i loved this.

[@PhilGalfond]

Awesome! Thank you so much. The team did a lot of the heavy lifting.

[@neversulky]

Loved your stories. Ivey is so mysterious and enigmatic that stories about him have a mythical feel.

[@chrisdangelo6047]

lol ivey trying to get a edge talking to you on the phone what a guy bahaha

[@PhilGalfond]

He's too good.

[@mike1kim]

This was well done and what a tribute to the greatest player I’ve ever seen

[@rocmarciano1786]

Phil Ivey playing at a table next to me at the Full Tilt Million Euro Challenge in 2007 is actually the closest I've come to greatness in my life 😄

[@michaelss1294]

Ivey is overrated. Nowadays, top poker players run circle on him.

[@niuean3000]

@@michaelss1294 he is still the GOAT though

[@michaelss1294]

@@niuean3000 , no. Ivey is overrated

[@Tilppi123]

Yeah, I thought this was a clip from a high production documentary. So well done and insightful and with great respect an feeling. Though, could be made just a bit less without the look that it was a clip from a documentary. (for example, it feel more personal, if you would look at the camera. even though I understand what you were doing here) I don't know how to put it better:D. But all in all, f**king great stuff. Please do the same from other people/ legends of the poker world. As an ex gambling addict, unfortunately (and thankfully) I can't play anymore, even though my problem was slots, not poker. I don't bind my self to the gamble world anymore, but I watch your videos because of you and how much I have respect of your level-headness, kindness and you seem to be in a good place and peace.

[@untouchable360x]

“I am not talented or natural at this game. I just work very hard at this game.” Phil Ivey

[@dougall360]

This was brilliant Phil! I put it on not thinking I would watch it all. I was gripped and could not put it down without watching all the way through. Great story telling, graphics were amazing and you can tell the effort that went into this. Would love to see more

[@jasonsmith3209]

I'm 9 minutes in and have laughed out loud twice 😂

[@PhilGalfond]

😃

[@WalterFreemanProductions]

Great change of pace for a video. Production quality and content is top notch. Awesome hearing your insights and history with the GOAT. Keep it up!!!! 🔥 🔥 🔥

[@patricksingleton7516]

Phil Ivey really is the last great naturally talented player. I wouldve loved to see him lock horns with Stu, two masters of intuition just going at it

[@saw12367]

Thanks Phil for taking the time to put this together. I really enjoyed watching you and Phil play on HSP(even tho I didn't understand PLO strategy very well). This was clearly a labor of love and a demonstration of respect and friendship. 'Well done, thanks again

[@juand3p]

Imagine getting a phone call from Ivey after cooler-ing him for a massive pot. 🤣

[@mmfb88]

No chance I’m picking up. He will read my soul through the phone.

[@KeepItReels]

Wow feel like I was hanging out with you guys lol. 😆Awesomeness. I remember the couple that used to follow Phil to tournaments. And I remember one time he did not tip the waitress on Poker After Dark that I did not like Just do it for show :). But he is still so inspiring

[@CR_Chitown]

Phil, this is outstanding work. I would love to see more of this type of content regarding other great players. Thank you for this effort.

[@skateboardscott]

Great documentary on the goat. I loved it!

[@banethor]

You told this story brilliantly - I feel the revelry you (and arguably anyone who's ever watched Poker) had for Ivey. It was great getting an insiders look into the enigma and the high stakes world

[@cricket915jb]

I watch it over and over, truly a great tribute to one of the truly best 👌. I love to share and reshare

[@jermainemitchell2375]

Great video man!! Thanks for taking the time to do this. Amazing!

[@philmccutcheon5760]

That was excellent. Nice, crisp vocal audio, it moved nicely, and zero fat. Let’s see some more!

[@theperceptioncoach]

This was so well made and I love the format, I went to take a peak and the whole video flew by. Ivey is a legend and great to hear this told by one of his biggest competitors.

[@Sp3ctr3Kr3w]

Awesome video, Phil 🙏🙌👏 great editing and storytelling! Ivey stories are so rare. Thank you for sharing. That phone call heads-up is hilarious. 🐐

[@KnotGabs]

This is a great mini-doc, rewatchable too :)

[@zxdevoutxz]

Great, great vid. Love these historical snippets from the game we all enjoy.

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you! My team found some awesome clips ♥️

[@Ryan-gt4cq]

easily best part of this story, is Phil calling next morning to ask if you're alright. That says everything about his character.

[@ShaunHinklein]

Would love more of these Phil. We knew already, but your love of the game comes through on these in full force

[@gregbarnes7247]

Those were the days of online poker. Nothing can to this day beat full tilt. Me and my friends would rail the high stakes games and were glued!

[@kostachugunov4698]

Hi from Czech republic. Great form of content and brilianty executed. Well done team.I believe with your insights you can cover many more legends. Thank you

[@Janet_Airlines802]

This is great Phil, hope to see more videos like this. Really well done and put together.

[@JusCliknButtons]

Mr. Galfond! Great job. I agree with you 100 percent about the 03’ main event. I was also younger 16, and just getting into poker myself. That exact part about Ivey taking the beat and just walking away 10th in the biggest field ever at the time, and having 0 emotion stuck out for me. I became a life long fan of his at that moment. The sheer discipline to not react and to just know in his mind he is that good is something like Michael Jordan and that killer mentality. Thanks for this Doc! You are also a fantastic player and hopefully someone will make a Doc about you in a similar fashion one day!

[@qwedqqweqeqwr5163]

Wow, great video. I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a professional documentary and this video. Love the content and insight!

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you!! 😊

[@C4TheDub]

Phil Galfond just comes across as a genuine, awesome guy. We all could use a friend like Phil.

[@felixrojas2575]

Probably the best Phil ivey doc ever.

[@alexbennett9994]

As a young poker player in my city, I heard his name since I was kid. His name pretty much is poker.

[@DrSnowBrainHealth]

excellent video!

[@Wizardt22]

You have a talent for this type of video format. Please make more of these. 🤍🤍

[@garmatsch]

One of the best documentaries of Poker and the single best documentary of Ivey ever. Thank you so much for making this, Phil G!

[@Justin-np3ki]

Probably your best video yet dude. I use to get drunk with my buddy and watch you guys battle it out on railheaven😂😂😂😂.

[@Todd_plays_poker]

“The object of poker is to keep your money away from Phil Ivey for as long as possible.”- Gus Hansen. …..great job on the video♦♠❤♠

[@markusa5293]

This is great! Bringing the personal aspect to this type of biopic is a great idea and really adds a lot of value instead of a more general documentary.

[@automatescellulaires8543]

Why is this particular guy always remembered as THE monster of poker. Makes you wonder. Seems he was / is a damn world class natural genius.

[@Master-ng9uj]

This video was worthy of the subject. Would love to see more videos like this on some other notable players, eg. Tom, Viktor, Patrik, Fedor, and a bunch of others I can't think of right now.

[@illpoet13]

That's so cool we had the same introduction to Phil ivy. In the first time in 2003 wsop the commentary kept calling Phil "the heavy favorite to win". He had such a quiet intensity I thought he was the perfect poker player. I actually didn't get to see his brilliance until a while later but was a fan from that very first time in wsop

[@Samwich88]

Really good, mate. Wp on the style and content. It’s always an interesting when amazingly talented people in a particular field talk about the people they look up to or respect. Would love to see more.

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you very much! Anyone in particular you're curious to learn more about?

[@Samwich88]

@@PhilGalfond thanks for asking! I’d watch whoever you felt compelled to do another about but the ones that spring to my mind are Tom, Patrik and Viktor. Anyone who you sort of felt in awe of or was different in some way would be great. I’ll definitely watch this more than once though, you started off with the best IMO.

[@oldilocks]

​@@PhilGalfondtom dwan

[@jai_a_fool]

Remained calm vs the Moneymaker bad beat and remained calm vs Moon beat 5 years later at the main event. Boss!! Ivey is a true legend and has inspired millions of players. Galfond Well done on this sensational video

[@Jonas89offsuit]

I think it's a great video Phil. The interview videography looks better produced than any others, and the lighting in that space is fantastic!

[@caseysmith8404]

I watch a lot of poker stuff on KZbin. Yours is so unique. Genuine and open. I absolutely love it. Just great stuff.

[@nova9901]

Amazing video, the effort really shows and you're a great storyteller. Could watch it all day.

[@PhilGalfond]

Wow, thank you!

[@bob30064]

Great video and thoughtful insight. Love the production quality and effort that went into finding all the old clips. And I like the idea of you talking to someone off camera vs. directly at the camera. Awesome job!

[@MartijnMartens]

Simply WOW 😮. This is an instant classic. I love the style, the production, the personal stories, the hands discussed and of course Phil Ivy as a player. Keep up the great work. I really loved this! ❤❤❤

[@IGotufold]

Wow I only now realized that it was you Mr. Galfond who made it... Awesome video... just hoped it was like 10 minutes longer

[@markcummings3146]

This was honestly amazing to watch Phil. I watch a ton of (great) poker content and yet yours is absolutely my favourite for your grounded advice and experience.

[@ryanghim1146]

Phil without question this was a extremely high qual production. I would like to add that. I know some of the golden era nlhe online beasts and those were not only the most talented but also the hungriest, dedicated, disciplined, studiest dudes who put all of it together in order to bring home the cash!!!! I can only imagine that phil Ivey was the hungriest to win like a MJ or a Tiger Woods!!! Obv putting the like of you and tom in that category. CHEERZ THANKS FOR DOING THIS KIND OF CONTENT

[@Johnny2Feathers]

You really nailed it! So many nuances about what playing winning poker entails against anyone, let alone Phil Ivey, that you touched on. Amazing job!

[@michaelbattye8960]

I thought your documentary was done real well Phil. As a poker player myself, I'm still learning and watching these shows help me out tremendously.

[@lupa4]

Telling old poker related stories you can't go wrong with. You guys did great with this video. Thanks

[@imajakas7]

I respect the grind! Great job phil. I’m glad someone with your knowledge had the great idea of putting this much effort and making an all around one of the best poker KZbinr channels out right now

[@Mike-pv3vw]

I always watched you guys play on FT. I played small stakes tourneys and cash. Never really got back into it after the internet ban. I miss those days.