Posted by Mara | Posted in Poker | Posted on 07-07-2026
Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker competitor on the planet by most of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His papa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to discover everything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the adverse comments from other people destroy his goal of being one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
He started playing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated many of the well known professionals which includes "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 Sin City. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to hard work and an undying love for poker. He states that he’s learning every day and is incredibly humble about his success. Phil admits to making errors in each session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Even though Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he likes winning money games on a normal basis.