Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker player on the planet by many of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to learn everything 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 other people destroy his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
He began playing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning was not a normal outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. 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.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every day and is incredibly humble about his success. He knows he makes mistakes in each game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a regular basis.