Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker player in the world by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching the age of one. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to discover whatever he could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the negative feedback from others kill his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
Phil started playing intently after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a learning experience and winning was not a regular outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he destroyed many of the well known professionals 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. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to discipline and a continuing love for poker. Phil says that he is picking up skills every day and is quite humble about his achievements. Phil admits to making mistakes in each game of poker and always strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he favors winning money games on a regular basis.