Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker competitor in the world by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to discover anything he possibly could about the game. He routinely would tell his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He did not allow the adverse comments from other people annihilate his dream of being one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
He started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win was not a normal outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he defeated a number of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to dedication and an undying love for the game of poker. He states that he’s learning every day and is incredibly humble about his success. Phil knows he makes blunders every single session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.
