Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker competitor on the planet by most of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to pickup whatever he could about the game. He would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the detrimental comments from others annihilate his ambition of being one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil began competing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed a number of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and a continuing love for the game of poker. Phil says that he is picking up skills every day and is quite abashed about his success. He knows he makes blunders in each game of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some large tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a regular basis.