Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker competitor on the planet by many of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching turning 1. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn every little thing he could about the game. He would tell his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not let the detrimental feedback from others annihilate his ambition of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
Phil began competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win was not a common 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 two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed 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 moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to dedication and an undying love for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s learning every single day and is quite abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making errors in each game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Even though Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a regular basis.