Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker competitor in the world by most of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching turning one. His grandpa taught Phil penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to discover anything he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the adverse comments from others annihilate his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
He began playing intently after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a teaching period and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the successive level and headed 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 achievements to hard work and an undying love for poker. Phil says that he is picking up skills every day and is incredibly humble about his accomplishments. He knows he makes blunders every single game of poker and always strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a normal basis.