Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker competitor on the planet by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His papa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wished to learn whatever he possibly could about the game. He routinely would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the detrimental comments from other people annihilate his dream of being one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
He began playing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a learning period and coming away with a win was not a common thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed quite a few of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an eternal love for poker. He says that he’s learning every day and is quite humble about his achievements. Phil admits to making errors in each session of poker and always aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some large tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a normal basis.