Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker player on the planet by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather introduced him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to learn anything he could about the game. Phil routinely told his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the adverse feedback from other people annihilate his dream of being one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
He began competing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he destroyed many of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every single day and is incredibly humble about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making blunders in each session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Even though Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.