Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker competitor on the planet by many of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather introduced him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to pickup whatever he possibly could about the game. He routinely would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the negative comments from other people annihilate his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
He started playing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a teaching experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a common thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated a number of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and headed 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 discipline and an eternal love for poker. He states that he’s learning every day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making errors in each game of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Although Ivey has won some large tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.
