Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker player in the world by many of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His papa showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup every little thing he could about the game. He routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the detrimental feedback from other people destroy his dream of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
He began playing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning experience and winning was not a normal outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed a number of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. He states that he is picking up skills every day and is quite humble about his success. Phil admits to making blunders every single session of poker and always strives to get better.
Even though Ivey has won some big tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a normal basis.