Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker player on the planet by many of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching turning 1. His grandpa taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to learn every little thing he could about poker. He routinely told his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the negative comments from others kill his goal of being one of the greatest poker players in the world.
Phil began playing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a learning period and coming away with a win wasn’t a common outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he defeated a number of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an eternal passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he is learning every single day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. Phil admits to making mistakes every single session of poker and always strives to improve.
Although Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.