Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker competitor on the globe by many of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup everything he could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the adverse comments from other people kill his dream of being one of the best poker players on the planet.
He began competing intently after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win was not a common thing 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, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed quite a few of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision 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 in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and a continuing love for the game of poker. Phil states that he is learning every day and is quite abashed about his achievements. He admits to making mistakes in each game of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he favors winning money games on a regular basis.