Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker competitor on the globe by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn whatever he could about the game. Phil would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the detrimental comments from other people kill his dream of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
Phil started playing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a learning period and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated a number of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an undying passion for poker. He states that he’s learning every single day and is incredibly humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes errors every single game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Although Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a normal basis.