Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker competitor on the globe by most of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching turning 1. His grandfather introduced him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wished to pickup everything he possibly could about poker. He would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the negative comments from other people destroy his ambition of being one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil began playing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 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 successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his success to hard work and an undying love for poker. He says that he is learning every single day and is incredibly humble about his success. Phil admits to making blunders in each session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes winning money games on a regular basis.