Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker player on the planet by many of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup anything he could about poker. Phil would tell his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He did not allow the negative comments from other people kill his ambition of being one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
He started competing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 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.
He made a decision to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an undying passion for the game of poker. He says that he’s picking up skills every day and is incredibly abashed about his accomplishments. He admits to making blunders in each game of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Even though Ivey has won some large tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a regular basis.