Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker player on the globe by many of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to learn anything he possibly could about the game. He would tell his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the negative comments from others destroy his ambition of becoming one of the best poker players on the planet.
He started competing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning opportunity and winning was not a normal thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated quite a few of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an eternal love for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s learning every day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making errors every single session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a regular basis.
