Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker competitor on the planet by many of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching turning one. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to learn anything he possibly could about the game. He would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not let the adverse feedback from others kill his ambition of becoming one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
He started playing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to dedication and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He states that he is learning every single day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes errors in each game of poker and always strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.