Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker competitor on the planet by most of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His papa taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to discover every little thing he could about the game. He would tell his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the adverse feedback from others kill his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
He started competing intently after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a learning experience and winning was not a normal outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated many of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal love for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s learning every single day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. He knows he makes errors every single game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a regular basis.