Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker player in the world by many of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His papa taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to pickup anything he possibly could about poker. He would tell his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He did not let the detrimental comments from others annihilate his dream of being one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil started competing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning period and winning was not a common outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed many of the well known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an immeasurable passion for poker. Phil says that he is picking up skills every day and is quite abashed about his achievements. He admits to making blunders every single game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Even though Ivey has won some big tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a regular basis.