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No-Limit Holdem Poker- Who is Phil Ivey?
Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker contender on the planet by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup whatever he possibly could about poker. He routinely would tell his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the negative comments from other people destroy his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil began competing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a teaching period and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the well known pros including but not limited to "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 Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to hard work and a continuing love for poker. He says that he is learning every day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. He admits to making mistakes every single game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Although Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a regular basis.