Posted by Reese | Posted in Poker | Posted on 12-02-2026
Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker competitor on the globe by many of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching turning 1. His grandfather showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wished to discover anything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He did not allow the adverse feedback from others kill his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
He started competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a teaching experience and winning was not a regular thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated many of the well known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal love for the game of poker. He states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes blunders in each game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a regular basis.