Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker competitor in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandpa introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn every little thing he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely told his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the negative comments from others destroy his ambition of being one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
He began competing intently after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a teaching experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a common outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated many of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an undying passion for poker. He states that he is picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his achievements. He knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a normal basis.