Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker competitor on the globe by quite a few of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching turning one. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn everything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the adverse comments from others kill his ambition of being one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
Phil started competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning experience and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he made two final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he destroyed many of the well known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to discipline and a continuing passion for the game of poker. He says that he’s picking up skills every day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making errors in each game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Even though Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a normal basis.