Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker player on the planet by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching turning 1. His grandpa introduced him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wished to discover whatever he could about the game. He would tell his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the negative comments from other people annihilate his dream of being one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil began competing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a learning period and winning was not a normal thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved two final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated many of the better known pros including "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 Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an undying passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s learning every day and is quite humble about his achievements. He knows he makes errors in each session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a regular basis.