Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker player on the planet by many of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His papa taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to discover whatever he could about poker. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the detrimental feedback from other people kill his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
He started playing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a teaching experience and coming away with a win was not a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he defeated quite a few of the well known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to dedication and a continuing love for poker. He states that he is learning every day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes blunders every single game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a normal basis.