Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker competitor on the planet by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil 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 then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn anything he could about poker. Phil routinely told his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the detrimental comments from others kill his goal of being one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
Phil began competing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated many of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills 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 greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and a continuing passion for the game of poker. He says that he is picking up skills every single day and is quite humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Although Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he likes winning money games on a normal basis.
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