Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker player on the planet by most of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to discover whatever he could about the game. He routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the adverse feedback from others destroy his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a teaching experience and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated many of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to dedication and a continuing love for poker. Phil says that he is learning every day and is very humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and always aspires to improve.
Although Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.