Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker player on the planet by quite a few of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His papa showed him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to learn whatever he possibly could about the game. He would tell his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the negative comments from other people destroy his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker players in the world.
Phil began playing intently after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the well known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable love for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every day and is quite abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making errors in each game of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a regular basis.