NL Hold’em Poker- Who is Phil Ivey?
Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker contender in the world by many of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His papa taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to learn everything he possibly could about the game. Phil would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the negative feedback from others kill his ambition of being one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
Phil started playing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a learning period and winning wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he destroyed a number of the well known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an immeasurable passion for poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every day and is very abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes errors in each session of poker and always aspires to get better.
Although Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a normal basis.