Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker player on the globe by quite a few of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching turning one. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wished to pickup anything he possibly could about poker. Phil would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the adverse feedback from others annihilate his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
Phil began competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a teaching experience and winning wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he destroyed a number of the better 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 next level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He states that he is learning every day and is quite abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making blunders every single game of poker and always strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a regular basis.