Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker player on the planet by most of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to learn whatever he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the adverse feedback from others destroy his goal of becoming one of the best poker players in the world.
Phil began playing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win was not a normal outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed many of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an undying passion for poker. He states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his success. Phil knows he makes errors in each game of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Although Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a normal basis.