Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker competitor on the planet by many of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching the age of 1. His grandpa taught Phil penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wished to learn anything he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the detrimental feedback from other people annihilate his dream of being one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
Phil started playing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a common thing at the time. Phil became known 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 match. At the last table he destroyed quite a few of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to hard work and an eternal love for poker. He says that he’s learning every single day and is incredibly humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes blunders in each session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a regular basis.