Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker player on the planet by quite a few of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to discover whatever he could about poker. He routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the negative comments from others destroy his dream of becoming one of the best poker players in the world.
He started playing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a common thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he destroyed many of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to hard work and an eternal love for poker. He says that he is learning every single day and is quite abashed about his achievements. He knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and always aspires to improve.
Although Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.
