NL Hold’em Poker- Who is Phil Ivey?
Posted in Poker on 02/02/2026 12:25 pm by Valerie
Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker player on the globe by many of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching turning 1. His papa showed him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup anything he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely told his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the adverse feedback from other people destroy his goal of being one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
Phil began competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a learning experience and winning was not a regular thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he destroyed many of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He states that he is picking up skills every single day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes mistakes in each game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a normal basis.