Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker player in the world by most of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wished to pickup every little thing he could about poker. Phil routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the detrimental feedback from other people destroy his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
He started playing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning experience and winning wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed many of the better known professionals 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 moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to compete in 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. Phil states that he is picking up skills every single day and is incredibly humble about his success. Phil knows he makes blunders in each session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has won some large tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.