Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker player in the world by most of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to discover whatever he could about the game. He would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the adverse comments from other people kill his goal of being one of the best poker players on the planet.
Phil started competing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed many of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and a continuing passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s learning every single day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. He knows he makes mistakes every single game of poker and always strives to get better.
Although Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.