Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker competitor on the globe by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His papa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup everything he could about the game. He routinely told his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the negative comments from other people kill his ambition of being one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
Phil began playing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he defeated a number of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable passion for poker. Phil says that he’s learning every day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making errors in each session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Even though Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.