Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker competitor on the planet by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup anything he possibly could about poker. Phil would tell his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He did not permit the negative comments from others destroy his ambition of becoming one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
He started playing intently after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a learning experience and winning wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. 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. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to dedication and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is incredibly abashed about his accomplishments. He knows he makes errors in each game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Even though Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he likes winning money games on a normal basis.