Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker competitor on the planet by most of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wished to pickup anything he could about poker. He would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the adverse feedback from other people destroy his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
Phil started competing intently after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win was not a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated a number of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next 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. Ivey credits his success to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is quite abashed about his success. Phil knows he makes blunders every single session of poker and always strives to improve.
Although Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.
