Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker competitor in the world by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandfather taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup everything he could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the adverse comments from other people kill his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
He began playing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a common outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed quite a few of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. He states that he’s learning every day and is quite abashed about his success. He knows he makes blunders every single game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Although Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a regular basis.