Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker player in the world by most of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup every little thing he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the negative feedback from other people kill his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
He began playing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a learning experience and winning was not a common outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he defeated a number of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an eternal passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is quite humble about his success. He knows he makes blunders in each session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he likes winning money games on a normal basis.