Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker competitor on the planet by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching turning one. His papa taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn everything he could about poker. Phil would tell his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the adverse feedback from other people destroy his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil started playing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a regular thing 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 WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil 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 eternal love for poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. He admits to making blunders every single session of poker and always strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a regular basis.