Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker competitor on the globe by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His papa taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to discover anything he could about poker. Phil would tell his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the negative comments from other people destroy his goal of being one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
He started playing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated a number of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and a continuing love for poker. Phil states that he’s learning every day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes errors in each game of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a regular basis.
