Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker competitor on the globe by most of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching the age of one. His grandfather taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to discover every little thing he could about the game. He routinely told his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the adverse comments from other people kill his goal of being one of the best poker players in the world.
Phil began playing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed quite a few of the well known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his success to hard work and an eternal love for the game of poker. He states that he’s learning every day and is very humble about his success. He knows he makes blunders in each session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a regular basis.