Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker competitor in the world by most of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching turning one. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to learn anything he could about poker. He would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the detrimental feedback from other people kill his goal of being one of the best poker competitors in the world.
He started competing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning period and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated a number of the well known professionals including "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 Sin City. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s learning every single day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. He admits to making blunders in each game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Although Phil has won some large tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a normal basis.
