Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker player in the world by most of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to learn anything he could about the game. He routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the negative comments from other people kill his ambition of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
Phil began competing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a teaching experience and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated a number of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and an undying passion for poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big tournaments, he favors winning money games on a regular basis.