Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker competitor on the planet by most of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching turning one. His pappa taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to discover every little thing he possibly could about poker. Phil would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the negative feedback from other people kill his goal of being one of the best poker players on the planet.
Phil started competing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a teaching experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated many of the well known pros including "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 Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal love for the game of poker. He states that he is learning every day and is very abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and always aspires to get better.
Although Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a regular basis.
