Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker player on the planet by quite a few of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to discover everything he could about the game. He routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the adverse comments from other people annihilate his dream of being one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
Phil started competing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a common thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he defeated quite a few of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills 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 dedication and a continuing love for poker. Phil says that he is learning every day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes blunders in each game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a regular basis.