Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker competitor on the planet by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching turning one. His grandfather taught Phil penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to discover anything he could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He did not let the adverse comments from other people kill his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
He started competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a learning experience and winning was not a common outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he made two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the well known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to dedication and an eternal passion for poker. He says that he is learning every day and is quite abashed about his achievements. He admits to making blunders in each game of poker and always strives to improve.
Even though Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a regular basis.