Between 2002 and 2009, Ivey finished among the top 25 players in the Main Event four times, in fields ranging in size from 600 entrants to just under 7,000. Ivey finished 10th in the 2003 WSOP Main Event (one place short of the final table), and 7th in 2009. In 2009, his lost to Darvin Moon's when a queen paired Moon on the flop; he ended his 2009 Main Event with winnings of $1,404,002.