Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker competitor on the globe by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to learn anything he could about the game. Phil routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the detrimental feedback from other people destroy his ambition of being one of the greatest poker players in the world.
Phil started playing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a learning period and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed many of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to dedication and an eternal love for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and always aspires to get better.
Although Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.