Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker competitor on the planet by most of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandpa taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to pickup whatever he could about the game. Phil routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the negative feedback from other people destroy his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
Phil began playing intently after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a regular outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he defeated quite a few of the better known professionals 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 Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He states that he’s picking up skills every day and is very humble about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making mistakes every single game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a normal basis.