Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker player on the globe by many of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to pickup anything he possibly could about poker. He routinely told his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the detrimental feedback from other people kill his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
He began playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed a number of the well known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the successive 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 achievements to dedication and an undying love for poker. He says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is incredibly humble about his accomplishments. He admits to making blunders in each session of poker and always aspires to improve.
Even though Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a normal basis.