Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker player on the planet by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup anything he could about poker. He would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the adverse feedback from other people destroy his goal of being one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
Phil began competing intently after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a teaching experience and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed 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 skills to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. He states that he’s learning every day and is very abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes blunders in each session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Even though Phil has won some big tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a regular basis.
