Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker competitor on the planet by quite a few of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wished to discover anything he possibly could about poker. He routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the adverse feedback from other people annihilate his dream of being one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
Phil began playing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a learning experience and coming away with a win was not a common thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated a number of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to hard work and an undying passion for poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making mistakes every single game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has won some large tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a normal basis.