Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker competitor on the planet by most of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn whatever he possibly could about poker. Phil would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the negative feedback from others destroy his goal of being one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
He began playing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a teaching experience and winning wasn’t a regular thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated a number of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal love for poker. Phil says that he’s learning every day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. He knows he makes blunders in each session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a regular basis.
