Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker competitor in the world by quite a few of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandfather introduced him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup every little thing he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the negative feedback from other people kill his ambition of being one of the greatest poker players in the world.
Phil began playing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a common thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he destroyed quite a few of the well known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal love for the game of poker. He says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is incredibly humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes blunders in each game of poker and always strives to get better.
Although Ivey has won some large tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a normal basis.