Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker player in the world by many of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandpa showed him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wished to discover everything he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the negative feedback from other people annihilate his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
Phil began playing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he destroyed many of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to dedication and an undying love for the game of poker. Phil states that he is learning every single day and is very humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes blunders in each game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Even though Phil has won some large tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a normal basis.