Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker player on the planet by most of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His papa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to discover everything he could about poker. He would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the detrimental comments from other people annihilate his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
He started playing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a learning period and winning was not a common thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he made two final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated many of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an eternal passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is incredibly humble about his success. Phil admits to making blunders every single game of poker and always strives to get better.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors winning money games on a regular basis.