Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker player in the world by most of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup every little thing he possibly could about the game. He routinely would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not permit the negative feedback from others kill his goal of being one of the best poker competitors in the world.
Phil began playing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he destroyed quite a few of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Las 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 undying love for poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every single day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making blunders every single session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Even though Phil has won some big tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a normal basis.
