Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker competitor in the world by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching turning 1. His papa taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup anything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the adverse comments from others destroy his dream of becoming one of the best poker players in the world.
He started playing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a learning experience and winning wasn’t a common outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed many of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an eternal passion for poker. Phil says that he is learning every day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. Phil admits to making mistakes in each session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Although Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a normal basis.
