Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker competitor on the planet by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wished to discover whatever he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the negative feedback from other people annihilate his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
He started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win was not a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed many of the better known pros 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 Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to dedication and an undying love for the game of poker. He says that he is picking up skills every single day and is quite humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes blunders in each session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a normal basis.