Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker player on the planet by quite a few of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to discover anything he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the detrimental comments from other people annihilate his ambition of being one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
He began playing intently after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a learning opportunity and winning was not a common thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed many of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. He 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 an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s learning every single day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making mistakes in each game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a normal basis.