Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker contender in the world by many of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather showed him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wished to pickup everything he could about the game. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not permit the detrimental comments from others destroy his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
He began competing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning wasn’t a regular thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he defeated a number of the well known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an undying love for poker. He states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is very humble about his achievements. Phil admits to making blunders in each session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a regular basis.
