Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker competitor on the planet by many of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to discover whatever he could about poker. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the detrimental comments from other people kill his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
Phil started competing intently after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win was not a regular thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed a number of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and a continuing passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s learning every day and is very abashed about his success. He admits to making blunders every single session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a normal basis.
