Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker player in the world by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to learn every little thing he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not let the adverse feedback from others annihilate his dream of being one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
He started playing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a learning period and coming away with a win wasn’t a common outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated many of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal love for poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is very humble about his accomplishments. He knows he makes errors in each game of poker and always strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some large tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a regular basis.