Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker player on the planet by quite a few of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching turning one. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to discover anything he could about the game. He routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the adverse feedback from other people destroy his dream of being one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
Phil began competing intently after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning period and coming away with a win was not a normal thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he destroyed many of the well 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 best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to hard work and a continuing love for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his success. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Although Phil has won some big tournaments, he favors winning money games on a regular basis.