Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker competitor in the world by most of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup whatever he could about the game. Phil routinely told his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not let the negative comments from others kill his goal of being one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil 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 first few years for Phil were a learning period and coming away with a win wasn’t a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated quite a few of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his success to hard work and an undying love for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every day and is quite humble about his achievements. He knows he makes blunders every single session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a regular basis.