Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker player on the globe by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to discover everything he could about poker. Phil would tell his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the detrimental comments from other people destroy his dream of being one of the best poker players in the world.
He began playing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a common thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed quite a few of the well known professionals including but not limited to "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 Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and a continuing passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he is picking up skills every day and is very humble about his accomplishments. He knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Although Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a normal basis.