Posted by Reese | Posted in Poker | Posted on 14-04-2013
Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker player in the world by most of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup anything he could about poker. He routinely told his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the adverse feedback from others kill his ambition of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
He began playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win was not a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated a number of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every single day and is incredibly humble about his success. He knows he makes errors every single session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Even though Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a regular basis.