Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker competitor in the world by most of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching turning 1. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wished to discover whatever he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the negative feedback from other people destroy his dream of being one of the strongest poker players in the world.
He began playing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning period and coming away with a win wasn’t a common outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he defeated a number of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an immeasurable love for poker. He states that he is picking up skills every day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. He knows he makes errors every single session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a normal basis.