07.10
No-Limit Hold’em Poker- Who is Phil Ivey?
Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker contender in the world by most of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to pickup anything he could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the detrimental feedback from other people annihilate his goal of being one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
He began competing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a learning period and coming away with a win wasn’t a common thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. 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 an undying love for poker. He says that he’s picking up skills every day and is quite humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes errors every single game of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Although Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he likes winning money games on a regular basis.