Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker competitor in the world by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup whatever he could about the game. Phil would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let 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 acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a teaching experience and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he defeated a number of the well known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his success to hard work and an undying passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making errors in each session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Even though Phil has won some large tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.