Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker competitor on the planet 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 grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to pickup everything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the adverse comments from others destroy his dream of being one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
Phil began competing intently after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed a number of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to dedication and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every single day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making errors every single game of poker and always strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a regular basis.