Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker competitor in the world by many of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn anything he could about the game. He routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the adverse comments from other people kill his ambition of being one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
He began playing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a learning period and coming away with a win was not a regular thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated quite a few of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every single day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. He admits to making mistakes every single session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Although Ivey has won some big tournaments, he favors winning money games on a regular basis.
