Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker player on the globe by most of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching turning one. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to discover whatever he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the negative comments from others kill his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
He started competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a regular thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed quite a few of the well known pros including but not limited to "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 Sin City. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and a continuing passion for poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes blunders in each game of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Even though Ivey has won some big tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a regular basis.
