Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker competitor on the planet by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather introduced him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to discover every little thing he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the detrimental feedback from other people annihilate his ambition of being one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
He started competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a teaching experience and coming away with a win was not a regular thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing 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 skills to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and an immeasurable passion for poker. Phil states that he’s learning every day and is quite humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single game of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some large tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.