Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker competitor on the globe by quite a few of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching turning 1. His grandfather taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to learn whatever he could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the negative feedback from others destroy his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
He started competing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a learning period and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his success to dedication and an eternal passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he is learning every day and is incredibly humble about his success. He knows he makes blunders in each game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Even though Phil has won some big tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a normal basis.