Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker competitor on the planet by most of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to pickup whatever he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the adverse comments from other people annihilate his goal of being one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil began playing intently after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a normal outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he made two final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his success to dedication and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every single day and is very abashed about his success. He knows he makes mistakes in each game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.