Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker competitor in the world by most of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His papa introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to discover everything he could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the negative feedback from others kill his dream of being one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
Phil started competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed a number of the well known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an eternal passion for poker. He states that he is picking up skills every day and is incredibly humble about his success. He admits to making errors every single session of poker and always aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.