Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker player on the globe by many of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa introduced him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wished to discover anything he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the negative comments from others destroy his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
He began competing intently after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a learning period and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated many of the well known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to hard work and a continuing love for poker. Phil says that he’s learning every day and is incredibly abashed about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes blunders in each session of poker and always strives to improve.
Although Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a normal basis.