NL Hold’em Poker- Who is Phil Ivey?
Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker player on the planet by most of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to discover whatever he possibly could about poker. He routinely told his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the detrimental feedback from other people annihilate his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
Phil began playing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he defeated many of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to dedication and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s learning every single day and is quite humble about his achievements. He knows he makes mistakes every single game of poker and always strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a normal basis.