Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker competitor in the world by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His papa showed him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn everything he possibly could about poker. He routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not let the detrimental comments from others annihilate his dream of becoming one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
Phil started competing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning period and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated many of the better known professionals including "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 compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s learning every day and is quite abashed about his success. Phil admits to making mistakes every single session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big tournaments, he favors winning money games on a regular basis.