NL Hold’em Poker- Who is Phil Ivey?

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker competitor in the world by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to discover everything he could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the adverse comments from other people destroy his goal of being one of the strongest poker players on the planet.

Phil began competing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win was not a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated quite a few 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 game to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and a continuing love for the game of poker. Phil states that he is learning every day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making mistakes every single game of poker and constantly aspires to improve.

Although Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a normal basis.