Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker competitor on the planet by most of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His papa taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup every little thing he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the detrimental feedback from others annihilate his goal of being one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
Phil started competing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he destroyed quite a few of the well known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil 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 a continuing passion for the game of poker. He states that he is learning every day and is quite humble about his success. Phil admits to making errors in each session of poker and always strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a regular basis.