Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker competitor on the globe by most of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa introduced him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup every little thing he could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the detrimental comments from others annihilate his goal of being one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil started playing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win was not a normal outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated many of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and a continuing love for the game of poker. Phil states that he is learning every single day and is quite humble about his success. Phil admits to making blunders every single game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a regular basis.