Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker player on the globe by many of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to pickup whatever he could about the game. Phil routinely told his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the adverse comments from others annihilate his ambition of becoming one of the best poker players in the world.
He began playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a learning experience and winning was not a common outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he destroyed many of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to dedication and an eternal passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he is learning every day and is quite abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making mistakes in each game of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Even though Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a normal basis.