Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker player in the world by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching turning 1. His grandfather taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to discover everything he could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the adverse comments from other people kill his dream of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
Phil began competing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a learning period and winning was not a regular outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to dedication and an undying love for poker. He states that he’s learning every single day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes errors in each session of poker and always strives to improve.
Although Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a regular basis.