Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker competitor in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to learn whatever he possibly could about poker. Phil would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the adverse feedback from others kill his dream of becoming one of the greatest poker players in the world.
Phil began competing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a learning period and winning was not a regular thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he destroyed many of the better known pros which includes "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 compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an eternal love for poker. He says that he is picking up skills every day and is quite humble about his success. He knows he makes errors in each game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a normal basis.