Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker player in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn anything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the detrimental comments from others destroy his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
He began competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a teaching experience and winning was not a normal outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he defeated many of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to dedication and an immeasurable love for the game of poker. He says that he is picking up skills every day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes errors every single session of poker and always strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some large tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a regular basis.