Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker player in the world by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching the age of one. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wished to learn every little thing he could about the game. He routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the adverse feedback from others kill his dream of being one of the strongest poker players in the world.
He started playing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a common 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 two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he defeated a number of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an undying passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his success. He knows he makes errors in each session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some large tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a regular basis.