07.05
NL Texas Holdem Poker- Who is Phil Ivey?
Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker player in the world by most of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather showed him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to learn whatever he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the detrimental comments from others destroy his ambition of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
He started competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a teaching period and coming away with a win wasn’t a common thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he defeated many of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and an immeasurable love for poker. He says that he’s learning every day and is incredibly abashed about his success. Phil admits to making blunders every single session of poker and always strives to get better.
Even though Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a normal basis.