Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker player in the world by many of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His papa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to pickup anything he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the detrimental feedback from others kill his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
He began playing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a teaching experience and coming away with a win was not a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final 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 headed 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 eternal love for poker. He says that he is learning every single day and is incredibly abashed about his success. Phil admits to making mistakes in each session of poker and always aspires to improve.
Even though Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.