Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker player on the planet by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching turning one. His papa taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to learn anything he could about the game. He routinely told his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the negative feedback from other people annihilate his dream of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
He started competing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated quite a few 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 moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and a continuing love for poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every day and is incredibly humble about his accomplishments. He knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has won some big tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a regular basis.