Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker competitor on the planet by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup whatever he could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not permit the negative comments from others annihilate his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
He started playing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to dedication and an undying love for poker. Phil states that he’s learning every day and is quite abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and always strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a normal basis.
