Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker player in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to pickup anything he could about the game. He routinely would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the negative feedback from others destroy his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
He started competing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win was not a common thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he destroyed quite a few of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. Phil states that he is learning every single day and is very humble about his achievements. Phil admits to making errors every single game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.