Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker competitor on the planet by many of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His papa taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup anything he could about the game. He routinely would tell his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the negative feedback from other people destroy his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker players in the world.
He began playing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning experience and winning was not a common thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed many of the better known pros 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 successive level and headed out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and an immeasurable love for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every single day and is very humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a normal basis.
