Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker competitor in the world by many of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching the age of one. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to discover whatever he could about poker. He would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the negative feedback from other people annihilate his dream of being one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
He began playing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a learning period and coming away with a win was not a normal thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he defeated a number of the well known professionals including "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 Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to hard work and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. He says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. He admits to making blunders in each session of poker and always aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a regular basis.