Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker competitor on the planet by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wished to learn everything he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the adverse feedback from other people kill his ambition of being one of the strongest poker players in the world.
Phil began competing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a common thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker 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 defeated a number of the well known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. He states that he is picking up skills every day and is quite humble about his achievements. Phil admits to making errors in each game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a normal basis.