Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker player in the world by most of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wished to learn everything he possibly could about the game. He routinely would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the negative feedback from other people kill his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
He started competing intently after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he destroyed quite a few of the well known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every single day and is very humble about his success. Phil knows he makes errors every single session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes winning money games on a normal basis.