Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker competitor on the planet by many of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His papa taught Phil penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to pickup whatever he could about poker. He would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the adverse comments from others destroy his goal of being one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
Phil began competing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a learning experience and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he defeated many of the well known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an immeasurable love for poker. Phil says that he’s learning every day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. He knows he makes blunders in each game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a normal basis.