Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker competitor on the globe by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching the age of 1. His grandpa taught Phil penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to pickup whatever he possibly could about the game. Phil would tell his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t let the detrimental feedback from others destroy his ambition of being one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
He started playing intently after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a learning period and winning was not a common thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he made two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he destroyed a number of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an immeasurable passion for poker. He states that he’s learning every day and is very abashed about his success. He knows he makes mistakes every single game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a normal basis.