Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker player in the world by many of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn every little thing he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the adverse feedback from other people kill his goal of being one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
He began playing intently after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed many of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to dedication and an eternal passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s learning every single day and is quite abashed about his achievements. He knows he makes errors in each game of poker and always strives to improve.
Although Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a normal basis.