Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker competitor on the planet by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching the age of one. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup whatever he could about poker. He would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the negative feedback from others kill his goal of being one of the best poker players on the planet.
He began competing intently after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to dedication and a continuing love for poker. He says that he’s learning every single day and is quite humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes blunders every single game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Although Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a regular basis.
