Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker competitor on the globe by most of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa introduced him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to pickup anything he could about the game. He routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the adverse comments from others kill his goal of being one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
He began playing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a teaching experience and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved two final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. He admits to making blunders in each game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Although Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors winning money games on a regular basis.
