Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker player on the planet by most of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to discover every little thing he could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the adverse comments from others destroy his goal of being one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
He began competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a teaching experience and winning was not a common thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated a number of the well 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 headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate 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 the game of poker. Phil states that he’s learning every day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making errors in each session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a normal basis.