Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker competitor on the planet by many of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn everything he could about the game. Phil would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the detrimental comments from other people destroy his ambition of being one of the best poker players in the world.
Phil started competing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning opportunity and winning was not a regular thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he destroyed quite a few of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to dedication and an undying passion for the game of poker. He states that he’s learning every day and is incredibly abashed about his success. Phil knows he makes blunders in each session of poker and always strives to improve.
Although Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.