Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker competitor on the planet by most of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandpa showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to learn whatever he possibly could about poker. He routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not permit the detrimental comments from other people destroy his ambition of being one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
He began playing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a teaching period and winning was not a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he made two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated a number of the well known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the next 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. Ivey credits his success to dedication and an eternal love for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s learning every single day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. Phil admits to making errors every single session of poker and always strives to get better.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a normal basis.