Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker competitor in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching turning one. His grandfather introduced him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to discover every little thing he possibly could about poker. He routinely would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the negative comments from others destroy his goal of being one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he defeated quite a few of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable passion for poker. Phil says that he is picking up skills every day and is quite abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes errors every single game of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Even though Phil has won some big tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.