Phil Ivey: Professional Poker Player

Phil Ivey was destined to be one of the best poker players in the world from an early age. His journey began when he was born in Riverside, California in 1976. He moved to New Jersey not too long after when he got introduced to the game of poker by his grandfather at the tender age of 8. His grandfather use to deal penny ante games of 5 card stud. What little Phil did not know was that his grandfather use to cheat trying to teach the young man about the dangers of gambling. Needless to say that did not work. At the age of 18 Phil obtained a fake identification so he could test his skill in Atlantic City. He lost more often than not but he did gain experience on the many facets of the game to which he would grow and love.

He made the permanent move to Atlantic City at the age of 20 to be closer to the poker tables. After turning 21 Phil made a gigantic splash on the poker world at the 2000 world series of poker making it to two final tables and winning his first world series of poker bracelet in the $2500 Pot limit Omaha event. He beat out poker greats Phil Hellmuth Jr., "Amarillo Slim" Preston and "Devilfish Ulliot for his first ever bracelet. Piggy backing on his success in 2000 he started being a regular in the high stakes world of poker.

In 2002 he had an outstanding run at the world series of poker winning 3 bracelets. At that time only 2 other players have matched that Phil Hellmuth Jr, and the great Ted Forrest. He etched his name in poker history at winning 7 card stud, stud hi / lo and shoe which incorporates a combination of stud, holdem, omaha and hi/ lo.
In 2005 Ivey captured his fifth world series of poker bracelet in the $5,000 buy in pot limit Omaha.

Besides imposing his will at the world series of poker Phil has also won the Monte Carlo millions and the Fulltiltpoker.net invitational live in Monte Carlo. Those two tournaments alone made Mr. Ivey about $1.6 million in a few days. Phil has made a total of 6 final tables on the World Poker Tour but has yet to take down a title. On several occasions he busted out of the World Poker Tour final table holding the same hand A-Q.

Today Phil Ivey lives in Las Vegas with his wife and is seen regularly at the Bellagio playing $4000 / $8000 with the likes of the famous Doyle Brunson, Jennifer Harmon and other big name poker professional who play high stakes cash games. Some say Phil Ivey before its all said and done will go down as one of the greatest poker players to have ever sat down at the green felt. You can also catch Phil playing at fulltiltpoker.net wheir he is sponsored, or on espn wheir he made the final nine at the 2009 world series of poker final table.