Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker player on the globe by most of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching the age of 1. His grandfather introduced him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to pickup everything he could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the adverse comments from others destroy his goal of being one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
He began competing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a teaching period and winning wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to dedication and an eternal love for poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making blunders in each game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a normal basis.