Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker competitor on the globe by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to pickup anything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the detrimental comments from other people destroy his dream of being one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
He started competing intently after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning opportunity and winning was not a common thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and came away with his 1st 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 pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an undying passion for poker. Phil says that he is learning every single day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single game of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Even though Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he likes winning money games on a regular basis.