Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker player in the world by most of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to learn whatever he possibly could about the game. He would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the adverse feedback from others kill his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
Phil started competing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a common outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed quite a few of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable passion for poker. Phil states that he is learning every single day and is quite humble about his success. He admits to making errors in each game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a normal basis.
