Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker competitor in the world by many of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching turning 1. His grandfather introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to discover every little thing he could about the game. Phil would tell his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not let the detrimental feedback from others annihilate his ambition of being one of the best poker players on the planet.
Phil began playing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a teaching period and winning was not a common thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed quite a few of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an immeasurable love for poker. Phil says that he’s learning every day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. He knows he makes errors every single game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.