Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker competitor on the globe by many of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wished to pickup anything he possibly could about poker. Phil would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the detrimental comments from others kill his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
He started competing intently after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a learning experience and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made 2 final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated a number of the well known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and a continuing love for poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is very abashed about his success. He knows he makes blunders in each session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Although Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a regular basis.
