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No-Limit Holdem Poker- Who is Phil Ivey?
Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker competitor on the planet by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to learn anything he could about poker. He routinely would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the negative comments from other people kill his goal of becoming one of the best poker players in the world.
He started competing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a teaching period and coming away with a win wasn’t a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed many of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to dedication and a continuing love for the game of poker. He says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. He admits to making errors in each game of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a normal basis.