Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker competitor on the globe by most of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn every little thing he possibly could about the game. He would tell his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the detrimental comments from other people annihilate his goal of being one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
Phil began playing intently after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a learning experience and coming away with a win was not a regular outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed many of the well known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to dedication and a continuing love for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is quite abashed about his success. He admits to making errors every single game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a normal basis.