DUBLIN, July 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Team Full Tilt's Phil Ivey has made the final table of the mostprestigious live poker tournament in the world, the World Series of Poker(WSOP) Main Event.

Battling through eight days of play and a field of 6,494 players, Iveyearned a spot at his first-ever Main Event final table and a shot at theUS$8.55 million top prize.

The final table will play out starting on November 7th, with the finalnine players, nicknamed the "November Nine," returning to duke it out for themost esteemed title in poker - WSOP Main Event Champion. A Main Event victoryis the only accolade missing from Ivey's illustrious career.

The growing popularity of poker and the WSOP in recent years has made ita tall order for professional players to "go deep" in the Main Event, makinga final table finish more significant than ever for the soft-spoken,33-year-old New Jersey native. Other high-profile pros who have made the MainEvent final table in recent years include Team Full Tilt's Allen Cunninghamand Mike Matusow, along with Full Tilt Poker pro Lee Watkinson.

Ivey honed his poker skills at the casinos in Atlantic City, perfectingthe aggressive yet calculated style that he uses to dismantle his opponentsany time he sits down at a table.

Making the 2009 WSOP Main Event final table has sealed Ivey's status asthe greatest poker player of all time. Known as "The Tiger Woods of Poker,"Ivey has dominated the game since he began playing at 21. He has more thanUS$12 million in career tournament earnings, seven World Series of Pokerbracelets, one World Poker Tour championship and a reputation as the mostfeared cash-game player in the world.

Ivey dominated this year at the 2009 WSOP, winning Events #8 and #25 ofthe 57 event series. Ivey is now one of only seven players in the world tohave earned at least seven World Series of Poker bracelets.

If Ivey finishes in the top seven at the final table, he will become thehighest grossing tournament player in the history of poker.

Phil Ivey will not be alone at the final table. Full Tilt Poker prosrepresent four of the nine remaining players. Joining Ivey in the 2009"November Nine" are fellow Full Tilt Poker pro James Akenhead, along withFull Tilt Poker sponsored players Steven Begleiter and Eric Buchman.

All final table players will take home at least US$1.25 million forreaching the 2009 WSOP Main Event final table.

To learn more about Phil Ivey, visithttp://www.fulltiltpoker.com/phil-ivey.

About Full Tilt Poker

Full Tilt Poker(TM) is the host of a worldwide virtual poker cardroomservice.

It is not in the business of betting or wagering and does not participatein the games as a player. It merely provides a service to those who wish totest their skills against others for fun, prizes or money. It is dulyregulated and licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and in the UnitedKingdom by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission. With innovativegraphics, superior customer service and a safe, secure interface, thesoftware is geared to enhance and personalize the online poker experience.

Although virtual poker is legal where the games are hosted and played, itmay not be legal where individual players are located. Players at all skilllevels may download the software at http://www.fulltiltpoker.com but it istheir responsibility to determine if participating in the games is permittedunder the laws of the jurisdiction where they are located.