Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker player in the world by many of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching turning 1. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn anything he could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the negative feedback from others kill his dream of being one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
He started playing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning experience and coming away with a win was not a regular outcome 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 two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed quite a few of the well 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 headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil 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 immeasurable passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his success. Phil knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Even though Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a regular basis.