Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker competitor on the planet by quite a few of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching the age of one. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn everything he possibly could about the game. Phil would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the detrimental feedback from other people annihilate his ambition of being one of the best poker players in the world.
He began playing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he destroyed quite a few of the well known professionals including but not limited to "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 Sin City. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable love for poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every day and is very humble about his accomplishments. He admits to making blunders every single game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Even though Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a normal basis.