Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker competitor in the world by many of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to learn whatever he could about the game. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the detrimental comments from other people annihilate his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
He started competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a normal outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated many of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he is learning every single day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and always aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.
