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NL Texas Holdem Poker- Who is Phil Ivey?
Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker competitor in the world by most of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn everything he possibly could about poker. He routinely would tell his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the adverse comments from other people annihilate his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
Phil started playing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win was not a normal outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he destroyed many 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 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 dedication and an undying love for poker. Phil says that he’s learning every single day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making blunders in each session of poker and always strives to improve.
Even though Ivey has won some big tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a regular basis.