Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker player in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup anything he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the detrimental feedback from others destroy his goal of being one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
Phil began playing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning was not a common thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated a number of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to dedication and an immeasurable love for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is very humble about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making mistakes every single session of poker and always strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big tournaments, he likes winning money games on a normal basis.