Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker competitor on the planet by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to discover everything he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the adverse feedback from others annihilate his ambition of becoming one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
He started competing intently after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he destroyed quite a few of the well known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to dedication and an undying passion for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every single day and is very humble about his success. Phil admits to making errors in each session of poker and always strives to improve.
Although Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a normal basis.