Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker competitor on the planet by quite a few of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandfather showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to discover anything he could about poker. Phil routinely told his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the adverse feedback from others kill his ambition of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
He started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a teaching period and winning was not a regular thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed many of the well known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to dedication and a continuing love for poker. He says that he is picking up skills every single day and is quite humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and always strives to get better.
Although Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a regular basis.