Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker competitor on the planet by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His papa showed him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wished to learn whatever he possibly could about poker. He would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the detrimental comments from others annihilate his goal of being one of the greatest poker players in the world.
He began playing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a learning period and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he destroyed quite a few of the well known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Las 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 passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he is learning every single day and is quite abashed about his success. He knows he makes errors every single game of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he likes winning money games on a regular basis.
