Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker competitor in the world by quite a few of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather introduced him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to learn everything he could about poker. He routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the detrimental feedback from other people kill his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
Phil began competing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a teaching period and winning was not a common outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed quite a few of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills 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 best players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable love for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is incredibly humble about his accomplishments. He knows he makes errors every single game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Even though Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he likes winning money games on a normal basis.