05.08
NL Texas Hold’em Poker- Who is Phil Ivey?
Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker player on the planet by most of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching turning 1. His papa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup everything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents 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 best poker players in the world.
Phil began competing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made two final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he defeated many of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. He says that he is picking up skills every day and is quite abashed about his achievements. He knows he makes mistakes every single game of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a normal basis.