Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker competitor on the globe by most of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa introduced him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to discover anything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the adverse feedback from others annihilate his dream of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
Phil began competing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed quite a few of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided 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 best players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and a continuing passion for poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every day and is incredibly humble about his success. He knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and always strives to get better.
Even though Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.
