Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker competitor in the world by most of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching turning one. His papa showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn anything he could about the game. He routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the detrimental feedback from other people kill his dream of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
He started competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a teaching experience and coming away with a win was not a regular outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated a number of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an undying passion for poker. He states that he’s learning every day and is quite abashed about his achievements. He knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and always strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a regular basis.