Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker competitor in the world by most of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup whatever he possibly could about poker. Phil would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the detrimental comments from other people destroy his ambition of becoming one of the best poker players in the world.
He started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a learning period and winning wasn’t a common outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he defeated 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 game to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to dedication and a continuing love for poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every day and is quite abashed about his achievements. He admits to making errors every single game of poker and always strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a normal basis.
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