Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker player on the planet by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching turning 1. His grandfather taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to learn anything he could about the game. He routinely would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the detrimental feedback from other people kill his goal of being one of the best poker players on the planet.
Phil began playing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a learning period and coming away with a win was not a regular outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he defeated quite a few of the better known pros including "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 Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable passion for poker. He states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making errors every single session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.