No-Limit Hold’em Poker- Who is Phil Ivey?
Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker player in the world by many of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to pickup everything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not permit the negative feedback from others kill his goal of being one of the strongest poker players in the world.
He started competing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a teaching experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a common thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he destroyed quite a few of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an eternal love for the game of poker. Phil states that he is learning every day and is very abashed about his achievements. He knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and always aspires to get better.
Although Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a regular basis.