Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker competitor in the world by quite a few of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching turning 1. His papa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to pickup whatever he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the detrimental feedback from others annihilate his ambition of becoming one of the best poker players in the world.
He began playing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed many of the better known professionals including "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 Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to dedication and an eternal love for the game of poker. Phil says that he is learning every day and is very humble about his achievements. He knows he makes errors in each session of poker and always strives to improve.
Even though Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a regular basis.