Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker competitor on the globe by most of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather introduced him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to pickup anything he could about poker. He routinely told his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the detrimental feedback from other people destroy his goal of being one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
Phil began playing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. He states that he’s learning every day and is very humble about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making blunders every single session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Even though Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a regular basis.
