Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker player in the world by many of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching turning one. His grandfather taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to pickup anything he could about the game. He would tell his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the detrimental comments from others annihilate his dream of being one of the best poker players in the world.
He began playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning was not a regular outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated a number of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play 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 states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is very humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Even though Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a regular basis.