Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker player on the planet by most of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His papa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to learn whatever he could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the negative feedback from other people kill his dream of being one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
He began playing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a teaching experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he destroyed a number of the well known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the next 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. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every single day and is quite humble about his success. Phil knows he makes blunders in each game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Although Phil has won some big tournaments, he likes winning money games on a normal basis.