Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker player on the globe by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to discover every little thing he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the adverse feedback from others annihilate his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
Phil began playing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a learning opportunity and winning was not a regular thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he made two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals including but not limited to "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 Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and a continuing passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he is learning every single day and is incredibly abashed about his accomplishments. He knows he makes errors in each session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Even though Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.