Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker competitor in the world by many of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wished to learn whatever he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the negative comments from other people annihilate his goal of being one of the greatest poker players in the world.
Phil began competing intently after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated a number 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 skills to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and an immeasurable love for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. He admits to making blunders every single game of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some large tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a regular basis.
