Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker player on the globe by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandpa showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to discover anything he could about poker. He routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the detrimental comments from other people destroy his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker players in the world.
He began competing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a teaching experience and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and a continuing passion for poker. Phil states that he is learning every day and is incredibly humble about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making mistakes in each session of poker and always strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a regular basis.
