Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker player on the planet by many of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandpa introduced him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup everything he could about the game. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the negative comments from other people kill his dream of being one of the strongest poker players in the world.
Phil started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a teaching experience and coming away with a win was not a normal outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated many of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to dedication and a continuing love for the game of poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every day and is quite abashed about his success. Phil admits to making blunders every single session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Although Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a normal basis.
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