Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker competitor in the world by many of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup every little thing he could about the game. Phil routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the adverse feedback from others kill his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
He began competing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a teaching period and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he destroyed many of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and a continuing love for the game of poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every day and is very abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes blunders every single game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a normal basis.