Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker competitor on the planet by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching turning 1. His papa showed him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wished to pickup everything he could about poker. Phil would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the adverse comments from other people annihilate his ambition of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
Phil began playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a learning experience and winning wasn’t a common outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he made two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated many of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an undying love for the game of poker. Phil states that he is learning every single day and is quite abashed about his achievements. He admits to making mistakes every single game of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some large tournaments, he favors winning money games on a regular basis.