Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker player in the world by most of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to discover anything he could about the game. Phil routinely told his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the negative feedback from other people destroy his goal of being one of the best poker players on the planet.
Phil started playing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a teaching period and winning was not a normal outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed quite a few of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable passion for poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is very humble about his success. He admits to making mistakes every single game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a regular basis.