No-Limit Texas Hold’em Poker- Who is Phil Ivey?
Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker player in the world by most of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to discover whatever he could about the game. He would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the detrimental feedback from others kill his dream of becoming one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
He started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a teaching experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a common outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he defeated a number of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to hard work and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every single day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. He knows he makes mistakes in each game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Even though Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a regular basis.