Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker player on the globe by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa introduced him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup whatever he could about the game. He routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the negative comments from others kill his dream of becoming one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
Phil began competing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a learning experience and winning was not a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he destroyed many of the better known professionals including but not limited to "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 Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and an eternal love for poker. He states that he’s learning every single day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. He knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Even though Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a normal basis.