Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker competitor in the world by many of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa introduced him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup every little thing he possibly could about the game. Phil would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the adverse feedback from other people destroy his ambition of being one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
Phil started playing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a teaching period and coming away with a win wasn’t a common outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he destroyed quite a few of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s learning every day and is quite abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making blunders every single game of poker and always strives to get better.
Although Ivey has won some big tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a normal basis.