No-Limit Hold’em Poker- Who is Phil Ivey?
Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker competitor on the planet by quite a few of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His papa taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn anything he possibly could about poker. He would tell his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the negative feedback from others kill his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
He started competing intently after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a common thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to dedication and a continuing passion for poker. He says that he is picking up skills every day and is incredibly humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Although Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a normal basis.