Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker competitor on the globe by quite a few of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to pickup every little thing he could about the game. Phil would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the detrimental feedback from others destroy his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
He started playing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed many of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an undying love for poker. He says that he is picking up skills every single day and is very abashed about his success. Phil knows he makes errors every single session of poker and always aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has won some large tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.