Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker competitor in the world by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His papa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to pickup whatever he could about the game. Phil routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the negative comments from others annihilate his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
Phil began playing intently after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a teaching opportunity and winning wasn’t a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed many of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and an eternal passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he is learning every single day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. He admits to making errors in each game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Even though Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.