Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker competitor on the globe by many of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His papa taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to learn everything he could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the negative comments from other people annihilate his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
Phil started playing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning opportunity and winning was not a regular outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he defeated a number of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an eternal love for the game of poker. He says that he’s learning every day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. Phil admits to making blunders in each session of poker and always strives to improve.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.