Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker player on the globe by quite a few of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to discover everything he could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the adverse comments from other people annihilate his dream of being one of the best poker competitors in the world.
He started playing intently after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he destroyed quite a few of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. 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 immeasurable passion for poker. He states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is very abashed about his achievements. He knows he makes mistakes in each game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Even though Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a normal basis.
