Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker player in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching the age of 1. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to discover anything he possibly could about poker. He routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the detrimental comments from others destroy his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
He started playing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a teaching period and winning was not a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made two final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he defeated quite a few of the well known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to discipline and a continuing love for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s learning every day and is incredibly abashed about his accomplishments. He knows he makes blunders every single session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Although Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a normal basis.