Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker player in the world by many of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn every little thing he could about poker. Phil would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not let the negative feedback from others annihilate his ambition of being one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
Phil started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a learning experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the well known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an eternal love for poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is incredibly abashed about his success. Phil admits to making errors every single game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some large tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.