Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker competitor in the world by most of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching turning one. His grandpa taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to pickup every little thing he could about poker. Phil routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the adverse comments from other people annihilate his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
Phil began playing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning period and coming away with a win was not a regular thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed many of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. He 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 an immeasurable love for the game of poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every day and is very abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes errors every single game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a regular basis.
