Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker player on the planet by many of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandpa showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to learn anything he could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not let the negative feedback from other people annihilate his ambition of becoming one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
Phil started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated many of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his success to hard work and an eternal love for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every day and is very abashed about his success. Phil admits to making blunders in each game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a regular basis.