Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker competitor in the world by many of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching the age of one. His grandfather taught Phil penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wished to discover anything he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the adverse comments from others annihilate his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
Phil began playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a learning period and winning was not a regular outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. 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.
He decided to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. He states that he’s learning every single day and is incredibly abashed about his accomplishments. He admits to making blunders in each game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a normal basis.