Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker competitor in the world by quite a few of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather introduced him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wished to pickup anything he could about poker. He would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not permit the adverse comments from other people destroy his goal of being one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
Phil started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a common outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he destroyed quite a few of the better known pros 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 moved out west to Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and an eternal love for poker. Phil says that he’s learning every day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes errors every single session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Even though Ivey has won some large tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.