Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker competitor in the world by most of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to discover everything he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the adverse feedback from others kill his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
Phil started playing intently after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he destroyed many of the well known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and a continuing love for the game of poker. Phil says that he is picking up skills every day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. He knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.
