Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker competitor on the planet by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching turning 1. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wished to discover everything he could about the game. He routinely would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the detrimental feedback from other people destroy his goal of being one of the best poker competitors in the world.
He began playing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated many of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an eternal passion for poker. He says that he is picking up skills every day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making mistakes in each game of poker and always strives to get better.
Although Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a normal basis.
