Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker competitor on the globe by most of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His papa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup whatever he could about poker. He routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the detrimental comments from other people annihilate his goal of being one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
He started competing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a regular thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and a continuing love for poker. He says that he’s learning every day and is quite abashed about his success. He admits to making errors in each game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a normal basis.