Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker player on the planet by many of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching turning 1. His grandfather introduced him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup everything he possibly could about poker. He would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the adverse feedback from other people annihilate his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
Phil began playing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he defeated quite a few of the better known professionals including but not limited to "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 Las Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to hard work and an immeasurable love for poker. Phil says that he’s learning every day and is very humble about his success. He knows he makes errors every single game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Even though Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a regular basis.