Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker player on the planet by most of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa introduced him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to pickup everything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t let the negative comments from other people annihilate his dream of being one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil started competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a learning opportunity and winning was not a normal outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and a continuing passion for the game of poker. He says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is very abashed about his success. Phil admits to making blunders every single game of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes winning money games on a normal basis.
