Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker player in the world by many of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandpa introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to discover whatever he could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the negative comments from others annihilate his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
He started playing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an eternal passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s learning every single day and is quite humble about his success. He knows he makes mistakes every single game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Although Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.