Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker competitor on the planet by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching turning 1. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup anything he possibly could about the game. He routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the adverse comments from others kill his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
He began playing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a teaching opportunity and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed a number of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to dedication and an undying love for the game of poker. He states that he is picking up skills every day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. He knows he makes errors in each session of poker and always strives to improve.
Although Ivey has won some large tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a regular basis.
