Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker player on the globe by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching the age of one. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wished to discover anything he could about the game. Phil routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the negative comments from other people destroy his goal of becoming one of the best poker players in the world.
Phil started competing intently after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a learning opportunity and winning was not a regular thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he defeated a number of the well known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to discipline and an eternal passion for poker. He states that he is picking up skills every day and is very humble about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making blunders every single session of poker and always strives to get better.
Although Ivey has won some large tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a normal basis.