Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker competitor on the planet by quite a few of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup everything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the detrimental comments from other people annihilate his ambition of being one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
Phil started competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning period and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed a number of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to dedication and a continuing passion for poker. Phil says that he is learning every single day and is very abashed about his success. Phil admits to making mistakes in each game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Even though Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he favors winning money games on a regular basis.