Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker player in the world by most of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to learn everything he could about poker. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not permit the detrimental feedback from other people destroy his goal of becoming one of the best poker players on the planet.
He began playing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a teaching experience and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed a number of the well known pros 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 moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an eternal love for poker. Phil says that he’s learning every single day and is very humble about his success. He knows he makes blunders in each game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has won some large tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.
