Holdem Secrets

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker player on the planet by most of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His papa taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup whatever he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the detrimental feedback from others destroy his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.

Phil began competing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a learning period and coming away with a win was not a regular thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated many of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to discipline and an eternal passion for poker. Phil states that he’s learning every single day and is quite abashed about his success. Phil admits to making blunders in each session of poker and always strives to improve.

Even though Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a normal basis.