Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker player in the world by most of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup anything he could about poker. He routinely told his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the detrimental feedback from other people destroy his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
Phil started playing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a learning period and winning was not a regular outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he defeated a number of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to dedication and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is very abashed about his success. He admits to making errors every single session of poker and always aspires to improve.
Although Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a regular basis.