Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker competitor on the planet by most of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup everything he could about poker. He would tell his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He did not let the negative feedback from other people kill his ambition of being one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
He began competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a regular thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing 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 skills to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an immeasurable love for poker. He states that he’s learning every day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes errors in each game of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Although Phil has won some big tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a normal basis.
