Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker competitor on the planet by quite a few of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching the age of 1. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wished to pickup anything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the negative comments from others kill his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil started competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win 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 first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated a number of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to dedication and an eternal love for poker. He states that he’s learning every day and is very humble about his success. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and always strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors winning money games on a regular basis.