Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker competitor on the globe by most of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching turning one. His grandfather taught Phil penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to pickup whatever he possibly could about the game. He routinely would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the adverse feedback from others kill his ambition of being one of the best poker players in the world.
He started competing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last 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 next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an immeasurable passion for poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making mistakes every single session of poker and always strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a regular basis.