Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker player on the planet by many of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to discover whatever he could about the game. Phil routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not let the negative comments from others annihilate his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
Phil started playing intently after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a learning experience and winning was not a regular outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed quite a few of the well known professionals including "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 Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable love for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every day and is very humble about his success. He knows he makes blunders every single session of poker and always aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some large tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a normal basis.