Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker competitor in the world by most of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His papa taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wished to pickup every little thing he could about the game. He would tell his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the detrimental comments from other people kill his ambition of being one of the best poker players in the world.
He started competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a teaching period and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made two final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated a number of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to dedication and an eternal passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes mistakes in each game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a regular basis.