Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker player on the planet by many of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching turning one. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to discover everything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the negative comments from others destroy his dream of being one of the greatest poker players in the world.
Phil started competing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning experience and winning was not a regular outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he destroyed many of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. He says that he is picking up skills every day and is very humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes errors every single session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a normal basis.