Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker player on the planet by most of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching turning 1. His papa taught Phil penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to discover everything he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the detrimental feedback from others destroy his dream of being one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
He started playing intently after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a learning experience and coming away with a win was not a regular thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed quite a few of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to dedication and an eternal love for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his success. Phil admits to making errors in each session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Although Ivey has won some large tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a regular basis.