WSOP 2021: Read Phil Ivey's Top WSOP Tips


When it comes to World Series of Poker (WSOP) strategy tips, you really want to be hearing from the absolute best in the business.
So how does getting to hear from ten-time WSOP bracelet winner Phil Ivey sound? Ivey's cashed for over $7 million at the WSOP alone, and although he hasn't picked up a bracelet since 2014 he's still considered one of the greatest to ever play the game.
He's currently tied for second in the all-time bracelet list with 10 alongside Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson, with only Phil Hellmuth having won more bracelets (15).
The WSOP has confirmed an 88-bracelet schedule for 2021. Click here to check it out!
Bankroll Management is Key
With almost 20 years of experience playing at the World Series of Poker - Ivey first cashed at the 2000 WSOP - the poker legend recognizes just how arduous playing at the Series can be.
"It's a long thing so pace yourself," he told Joey Ingram in a recent interview. "It's a grind."
One of the things that Ivey stressed is not to "play over your head." That is, to play within the bankroll you have available, or the budget that you have set to play with at the World Series of Poker. That way you can enjoy the tournament, and aim for success and glory while still being able to enjoy it.
"Playing over your head puts yourself in a bad place financially," says Ivey. "It doesn't have to be that way. If you're new to poker, it can be an enjoyable game and can be a great hobby to have. If you don't go overboard, pace yourself and move up in stakes at the right time it will be a much more enjoyable experience."
Ivey says bankroll management goes hand in hand with the ability to enjoy yourself. And that way you'll be able to make it through the whole Series.
Read More: The Return of Phil Ivey? 10-time Champion Aims to Play 2021 WSOP
Prioritise What's Important
"There's no greater teacher than experience."
With so much experience, Ivey says it's important to priorities what's important to you and what really matters. That way, you can put yourself in the best position possible to excel not just at the World Series of Poker, but in poker in general.
And if something matters to you, it's important that you give it your full attention. That applies to stuff off away from the poker tables as well, says Ivey.
"It's important to have a routine, exercise or food. It's important who you surround yourself with. I actively pursue relationships with people instead of just being by myself."
"If poker really matters, then that's what you're naturally going to be doing," says Ivey. "There's no greater teacher than experience."
Phil Ivey's WSOP Strategy Tips
So there you have it! Some WSOP strategy tips from the legend himself. To recap, here are the three main tips that Ivey has for playing at the World Series of Poker:
- Don't play over your head
- Work on your routine
- Surround yourself with people to help you improve
You can watch the full interview here!

Will Shillibier is based in the United Kingdom. He started working for PokerNews as a freelance live reporter in 2015 and joined the full-time staff in 2019. He graduated from the University of Kent in 2017 with a B.A. in German. He also holds an NCTJ Diploma in Sports Journalism.
In this Series
- 1 WSOP 2021 Schedule: 88 WSOP Bracelet Events, Sept. 30 - Nov. 23
- 2 WSOP 2021: Best Events to Play on a Budget
- 3 WSOP 2021 Main Event Satellites From $80 Hit GGPoker
- 4 WSOP 2021: Former Champ Chris Moneymaker Set to Miss This Year's WSOP
- 5 WSOP 2021: COVID-19 Vaccination Required for Players, Update on Staff
- 6 WSOP 2021: Best Hotels in Las Vegas
- 7 WSOP 2021: Try These 5 Hidden Gem Las Vegas Restaurants
- 8 WSOP 2021: Read Phil Ivey's Top WSOP Tips
- 9 WSOP 2021: 8 Things Poker Players Should Definitely Bring to the WSOP - and 2 You Shouldn't!
- 10 How to Enter the WSOP 2021 Freezeout Events
- 11 Is It Worth Playing Cash Games During the WSOP?
- 12 What Game Should You Pick in Dealer’s Choice?
- 13 What We've Learned from the First Week of the 2021 WSOP
- 14 Hands That Helped GGPoker Ambassador Jason Koon Win 1st WSOP Gold Bracelet
- 15 GGPoker Successfully Brings Online Flip & Go Concept to Live 2021 WSOP
- 16 Jason Koon, Connor Drinan Lead 2021 WSOP Player of the Year Race
- 17 Anthony Zinno in Exclusive One-Player Club Following Fourth WSOP Title
- 18 Looking Back At The Illustrious History of the Poker Players Championship
- 19 Phil Hellmuth Blows Up AGAIN; Rails Against WSOP POY Rules
- 20 Poker Fan Loses Job, Twitch Streamer Gifts Him WSOP Main Event Package
- 21 WSOP 2021: Are the Fields Tougher or Softer than Recent Years?
- 22 Doyle Brunson Treats Crowd to Surprise WSOP Return on Halloween
- 23 Spooktastic: Best & Worst Halloween Costumes from the 2021 WSOP
- 24 Phil Ivey NFT Launch Party a True 'What Happens in Vegas' Night
- 25 Poker Community Buys Man Facing Terminal Cancer into WSOP Main Event
- 26 Everything You Need to Know About the 2021 WSOP Main Event
- 27 WSOP Temporarily Goes on Lockdown Over Suspect's "Suspicious Item"
- 28 Did Phil Hellmuth's Sex Ban Lead to 1989 WSOP Main Event Glory?
- 29 Doyle Brunson Arrives; Defending Champ Salas Busts Before 1st Break of 2021 WSOP Main Event
- 30 Aces Cracked Leaves Kevin Campbell as the 2021 WSOP Main Event Bubble
- 31 Quads Vs. Quads Sends Chang Liu Home Near WSOP Main Event Bubble
- 32 The Muck: Mike "The Mouth" Matusow Wants to End Max Late Reg
- 33 Doyle Brunson Proves He Still Has it Despite WSOP Main Event Exit
- 34 Phil "Gandalf" Hellmuth Makes Grand Entrance in 2021 WSOP Main Event
- 35 Chris Moneymaker Makes Late Decision to Play WSOP Main Event
- 36 Who is GGPoker Ambassador and YouTube Vlogger 'Greg Goes All In?'
- 37 The Muck: Poker Twitter Debates Potential Angle-Shooting in WSOP Main Event
- 38 Nick Rigby Plays the 2-3 "Dirty Diaper" in 2021 WSOP Main Event
- 39 Is Josh Arieh Running Away with WSOP Player of the Year?
- 40 'Wedding Crashers' & 'Old School' Star Vince Vaughn to Join WSOP's Move to Strip in 2022
- 41 Eli Elezra Selected as 2021 Poker Hall of Fame Inductee
- 42 Master of Ceremonies Vince Vaughn Suffers Bad Beat in His First WSOP Tournament
- 43 Players Implement Covid Contract During WSOP $250K Super High Roller
- 44 How Much Money Did Players at the WSOP Main Event Final Table Really Make?
- 45 Phil Hellmuth Breaks WSOP Single Series Final Table Record
- 46 Daniel Negreanu's Most Mind-Boggling WSOP Stat at the Rio
- 47 Josh Arieh a Surprising 2021 WSOP Player of the Year Winner