Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker competitor on the planet by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup whatever he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t let the adverse feedback from other people kill his ambition of being one of the best poker players on the planet.
He started playing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a teaching period and winning wasn’t 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 match. At the final table he defeated quite a few 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 moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an undying passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. He knows he makes mistakes in each game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Even though Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.