Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker player in the world by quite a few of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching turning one. His papa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup everything he could about the game. He routinely would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the detrimental comments from others kill his ambition of becoming one of the best poker players on the planet.
Phil started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win was not a regular outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made 2 final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to discipline and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He says that he’s learning every day and is quite abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes blunders every single game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Although Ivey has won some big tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.