Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker player in the world by many of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching turning 1. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup everything he possibly could about the game. He would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the adverse feedback from others annihilate his dream of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
Phil started playing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed quite a few of the better known professionals 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 Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable love for the game of poker. He says that he’s learning every single day and is incredibly abashed about his success. Phil knows he makes errors in each game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Although Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he favors winning money games on a regular basis.