Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker competitor on the planet by quite a few of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he 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 did not permit the adverse feedback from other people destroy his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
He started playing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a teaching experience and coming away with a win was not a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he destroyed quite a few of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an eternal passion for poker. He says that he is picking up skills every day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes blunders every single session of poker and always aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.