NL Texas Hold’em Poker- Who is Phil Ivey?
Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker player in the world by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to learn whatever he could about poker. He routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the adverse feedback from others kill his goal of being one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
Phil started competing intently after getting a false 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 learning period and winning was not a common thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and an eternal love for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making errors in each game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a normal basis.