Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker player on the planet by many of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His papa introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to pickup every little thing he could about the game. He routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the negative feedback from others destroy his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil began playing 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 opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. Phil became known 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 match. At the final table he defeated quite a few of the well known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and an eternal passion for poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes mistakes in each game of poker and always strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some large tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a normal basis.