Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker player in the world by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wished to discover anything he possibly could about the game. He would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the detrimental comments from other people kill his goal of being one of the best poker players on the planet.
Phil started playing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning period and coming away with a win was not a regular thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is very humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a regular basis.