Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker player in the world by most of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching turning one. His grandfather showed him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup whatever he could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not let the negative comments from other people kill his ambition of being one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
He started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated many of the better known pros including but not limited to "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 Sin City. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and a continuing love for the game of poker. He says that he’s picking up skills every day and is quite abashed about his achievements. He admits to making mistakes in each game of poker and always strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a normal basis.
