Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker player on the planet by most of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to discover whatever he could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the adverse comments from other people destroy his ambition of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
Phil started competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning experience and winning was not a common outcome 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 event. At the last table he defeated a number of the well known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to dedication and a continuing love for poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every day and is incredibly abashed about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making errors in each session of poker and always strives to get better.
Although Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a regular basis.