Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker player in the world by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His papa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to discover anything he possibly could about the game. He would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the detrimental feedback from other people destroy his goal of being one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
Phil started competing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a common outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he destroyed many of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable passion for poker. He states that he is picking up skills every single day and is incredibly humble about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making mistakes in each session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.