Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker player in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching turning 1. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wished to learn anything he could about the game. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He did not allow the negative comments from other people destroy his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
Phil began competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed quite a few of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an eternal passion for poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every day and is very humble about his success. Phil knows he makes blunders every single game of poker and always strives to improve.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.
