Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker competitor on the globe by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup every little thing he could about poker. Phil would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the negative comments from others destroy his goal of becoming one of the best poker players in the world.
He started playing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a teaching period and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated a number of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. He admits to making blunders in each game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Even though Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a regular basis.