Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker competitor on the globe by many of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup everything he could about the game. He would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the negative feedback from others destroy his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
Phil began competing intently after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a normal thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed quite a few of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an immeasurable love for poker. He says that he’s picking up skills every day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making blunders in each session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a normal basis.