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NL Texas Holdem Poker- Who is Phil Ivey?
Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker competitor in the world by many of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather taught Phil penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to discover whatever he possibly could about the game. He routinely would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the detrimental feedback from others destroy his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
He began playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he defeated quite a few of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and a continuing passion for poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. He knows he makes blunders in each session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a normal basis.