Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker competitor on the planet by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to learn anything he possibly could about the game. He routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the negative feedback from others destroy his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
He started competing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a learning period and winning wasn’t a common outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed many of the better known pros including but not limited to "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 Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and an immeasurable love for the game of poker. He states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. He admits to making mistakes in each session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Even though Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a regular basis.