Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker player on the planet by most of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to learn anything he could about poker. He routinely would tell his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the adverse comments from other people kill his goal of being one of the greatest poker players in the world.
Phil started playing intently after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning experience and winning was not a common outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed a number of the well known pros which includes "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 Las Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He states that he’s learning every single day and is very humble about his achievements. He knows he makes errors in each game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a normal basis.