Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker player in the world by most of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to discover every little thing he could about the game. He would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not let the adverse feedback from others annihilate his goal of being one of the best poker competitors in the world.
Phil began competing intently after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a common outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated a number of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and a continuing passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s learning every day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. He admits to making errors in each session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a regular basis.