Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker player on the planet by many of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to learn whatever he could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the detrimental comments from other people kill his dream of being one of the best poker competitors in the world.
Phil started competing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a common thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and an immeasurable love for poker. Phil says that he is picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his success. He knows he makes blunders every single game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Although Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.
