Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker competitor on the globe by many of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup whatever he possibly could about the game. Phil would tell his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the detrimental feedback from other people destroy his dream of being one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil began competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a learning experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed many of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an undying love for poker. He says that he’s learning every single day and is quite humble about his success. He admits to making errors in each session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.