Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker competitor on the planet by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup whatever he possibly could about poker. Phil would tell his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the negative comments from others annihilate his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil began competing intently after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning period and coming away with a win was not a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated a number of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He 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 in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an immeasurable passion for poker. Phil states that he’s learning every day and is incredibly humble about his accomplishments. He admits to making blunders in each session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Although Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a regular basis.