Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker player on the planet by many of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa introduced him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to discover everything he could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the adverse comments from other people destroy his ambition of being one of the best poker competitors in the world.
Phil started playing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he defeated many of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and a continuing love for poker. He says that he’s learning every day and is very humble about his accomplishments. He knows he makes errors in each session of poker and always aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a regular basis.