Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker competitor on the globe by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching turning 1. His papa taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to learn anything he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the detrimental feedback from other people kill his dream of being one of the strongest poker players in the world.
Phil started playing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated many of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to dedication and an eternal love for poker. Phil states that he is learning every day and is quite humble about his achievements. He knows he makes blunders every single session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Even though Phil has won some big tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a normal basis.