Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker competitor in the world by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His papa introduced him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn everything he possibly could about the game. Phil would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the detrimental comments from others kill his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
He began competing intently after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a teaching experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a common outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed many of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and an undying passion for poker. He says that he is learning every single day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes errors every single session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Even though Phil has won some big tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a normal basis.