Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker competitor in the world by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His papa introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup every little thing he possibly could about poker. Phil would tell his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the negative feedback from other people destroy his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
He started competing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed many of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an eternal passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he is learning every day and is quite humble about his achievements. He admits to making errors in each game of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Even though Phil has won some large tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.