Don’t worry, Phil Ivey isn’t washed up. The G.O.A.T.’s just running bad thus far at the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP). Even the superstars aren’t immune from variance.
Ivey, 17 days into the Series, is still seeking his first cash of the summer, perhaps the biggest surprise thus far. The 11-time bracelet winner busted Thursday on Day 2 of Event #36: $100,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em well short of the money.
An opportunity to double-up arose, however. He moved all in with K♣Q♦ and found himself in a decent spot, racing against Andrew Lichtenberger’s 7♠7♥. But the 7♣ appeared on the flop to secure the pot for “Lucky Chewy.” Ivey, as he always does when he busts a tournament, quietly exited the room without expressing any frustration.
Ivey’s Slow Start a Cause for Concern?
Ivey has fired a number of bullets in bracelet events this summer, none of which have led to a cash. He’s been spotted in the $25,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold’em Championship, but lost to Darren Elias in Round 1 of Day 1a, before rebuying on Day 1b and losing to Shota Nakanishi in Round 2.
Ivey then took a shot at the $10,000 GGMillion$ High Roller No-Limit Hold’em and reached Day 2, where he was sent home long before the bubble burst. He’s since played in a handful of events with no luck.
The Poker Hall of Famer who last won a bracelet in 2024 went for $80 in the WSOP $25k Fantasy Draft, making him one of the top bids. But he hasn’t yet produced a single point for the team that drafted him, Team Verderamo.
This isn’t the first time Ivey’s gotten off to a slow start at the World Series of Poker. Last year, he didn’t secure his first cash until Event #38, which was also his first of two final table appearances that week.
If you’re concerned that Ivey won’t produce any results this summer, don’t be. He went on to reach four final tables at the 2025 WSOP, and is more than capable of matching those results, or topping them, again.
