Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker player on the planet by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His papa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup anything he could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the negative 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 by the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he defeated quite a few of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and an eternal passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he is learning every single day and is quite humble about his achievements. Phil admits to making mistakes in each session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Even though Ivey has won some large tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a regular basis.
