Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker competitor on the globe by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching turning 1. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to learn anything he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He did not allow the negative comments from other people annihilate his dream of being one of the strongest poker players in the world.
Phil began playing intently after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a learning period and winning was not a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he destroyed quite a few of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an eternal love for the game of poker. He says that he is picking up skills every day and is very humble about his achievements. He knows he makes errors in each game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a regular basis.