Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker competitor in the world by most of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His papa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup everything he could about the game. Phil routinely told his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the negative comments from others annihilate his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
Phil began playing intently after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a learning period and winning was not a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he made two final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. 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.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and a continuing passion for the game of poker. He says that he’s learning every day and is quite humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes errors in each game of poker and always strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a normal basis.
