Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker contender on the globe by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His papa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wished to discover anything he could about poker. He routinely would tell his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the detrimental feedback from others destroy his ambition of becoming one of the best poker players on the planet.
Phil began playing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a teaching period and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and a continuing love for the game of poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every day and is quite abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes blunders every single session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Although Phil has won some large tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a normal basis.