Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker competitor on the globe by many of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wished to pickup every little thing he could about the game. He routinely would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the detrimental feedback from other people kill his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
He began competing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a learning experience and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 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 made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. He says that he is picking up skills every single day and is very humble about his achievements. Phil admits to making errors every single session of poker and always strives to improve.
Even though Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.
