Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker player in the world by most of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to pickup everything he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the negative comments from others kill his dream of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
Phil began playing intently after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a learning period and winning was not a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he destroyed many of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and an eternal passion for poker. Phil says that he’s learning every day and is quite abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making mistakes in each game of poker and always strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a regular basis.