Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker competitor on the planet by most of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to pickup anything he could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the detrimental comments from others annihilate his goal of being one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
Phil began playing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a teaching period and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he destroyed a number of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to hard work and an undying passion for poker. Phil says that he is learning every day and is incredibly abashed about his accomplishments. He admits to making mistakes in each game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a regular basis.
