Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker competitor on the globe by most of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching turning 1. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wished to learn everything he possibly could about poker. Phil would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the adverse comments from other people destroy his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
He began playing intently after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated many of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to dedication and a continuing passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is quite humble about his achievements. He admits to making mistakes every single session of poker and always strives to get better.
Even though Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a normal basis.