Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker competitor on the planet by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather introduced him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to discover every little thing he possibly could about poker. He would tell his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the adverse comments from others destroy his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
He started playing intently after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a teaching experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he defeated a number of the well known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to dedication and a continuing love for poker. He states that he is learning every day and is quite abashed about his success. He knows he makes errors in each game of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Even though Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he likes winning money games on a normal basis.
