Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker player in the world by quite a few of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching turning one. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup anything he could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the detrimental feedback from others kill his goal of being one of the greatest poker players in the world.
He began competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an undying passion for poker. He states that he is picking up skills every day and is incredibly abashed about his success. Phil knows he makes errors every single session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he likes winning money games on a normal basis.