Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker player in the world by quite a few of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching turning one. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to discover anything he possibly could about poker. He would tell his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the adverse feedback from others kill his goal of becoming one of the best poker players in the world.
Phil began competing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a teaching period and winning was not a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated quite a few of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and an eternal love for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his success. He knows he makes errors in each game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a normal basis.
