Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker player in the world by most of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His papa introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn whatever he possibly could about the game. Phil would tell his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the adverse feedback from other people kill his dream of being one of the best poker players in the world.
Phil started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a teaching period and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he destroyed a number of the well known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to dedication and a continuing passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s learning every day and is quite humble about his success. He admits to making errors every single session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Although Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors winning money games on a regular basis.