Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker competitor on the globe by most of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His papa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup whatever he possibly could about poker. He routinely would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the detrimental comments from other people kill his ambition of being one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
He started playing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning period and coming away with a win wasn’t a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to hard work and an undying passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s learning every single day and is quite abashed about his success. Phil admits to making blunders in each session of poker and always aspires to get better.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a normal basis.