Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker competitor on the planet by most of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup whatever he could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not let the detrimental comments from other people annihilate his goal of being one of the best poker players in the world.
He began playing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a learning experience and winning was not a normal outcome 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 two dollar, 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 decided 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 achievements to discipline and an undying love for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is incredibly humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes blunders every single session of poker and always strives to improve.
Although Phil has won some big tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a normal basis.