Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker competitor on the planet by most of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to discover whatever he could about the game. He would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the adverse comments from others annihilate his ambition of being one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
Phil started playing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a learning experience and winning was not a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated many of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. He states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes blunders every single game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Even though Phil has won some large tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.