Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker player on the planet by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup anything he possibly could about poker. Phil would tell his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the adverse comments from others annihilate his dream of being one of the greatest poker players in the world.
He began competing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a learning experience and winning was not a regular outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred 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 decided to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. He states that he’s learning every single day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single game of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Even though Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a normal basis.