Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker player in the world by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His papa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup whatever he could about the game. He routinely told his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not let the negative feedback from other people destroy his ambition of being one of the best poker players on the planet.
He began competing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win was not a regular outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated many of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to dedication and an immeasurable passion for poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is quite humble about his achievements. He admits to making errors every single game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Although Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a regular basis.