Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker competitor in the world by quite a few of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching the age of 1. His papa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to discover anything he could about poker. He routinely told his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the adverse comments from others destroy his dream of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
Phil started competing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a learning experience and winning wasn’t a regular thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed quite a few 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 Las Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an undying passion for poker. He says that he is picking up skills every single day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. He knows he makes mistakes every single game of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a regular basis.