Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker player in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His papa taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup everything he could about poker. He routinely told his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the adverse comments from others kill his goal of being one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
He began playing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a learning period and winning was not a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated many of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to dedication and an eternal passion for poker. Phil states that he is learning every day and is quite humble about his success. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single game of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a regular basis.
