No-Limit Holdem Poker- Who is Phil Ivey?
Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker player in the world by many of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandfather introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to pickup everything he possibly could about poker. He routinely would tell his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the detrimental comments from others destroy his dream of being one of the best poker competitors in the world.
Phil began competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a learning experience and winning was not a common thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated quite a few of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and an eternal passion for poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his achievements. He admits to making blunders every single game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Even though Ivey has won some big tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a regular basis.