Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker player in the world by most of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wished to learn every little thing he could about the game. He routinely would tell his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He did not permit the adverse comments from others kill his dream of being one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
He started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a common thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated many of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to hard work and a continuing love for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s learning every single day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes errors in each game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.