Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker player on the globe by many of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching the age of 1. His grandpa introduced him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to learn anything he possibly could about the game. He routinely would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the adverse feedback from other people annihilate his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
He began competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated quite a few of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an immeasurable love for poker. Phil says that he’s learning every single day and is very humble about his success. He knows he makes errors in each game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a regular basis.