Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker player in the world by quite a few of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn anything he could about the game. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the detrimental feedback from other people kill his goal of being one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
He began competing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed quite a few of the well known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and an eternal passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s learning every day and is quite abashed about his success. Phil admits to making blunders every single session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Even though Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he likes winning money games on a normal basis.