Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker contender in the world by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa introduced him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup everything he could about poker. He routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the detrimental feedback from others destroy his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
Phil started competing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a teaching experience and winning was not a regular outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed quite a few of the better known professionals 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 Las Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. Phil states that he is learning every single day and is quite humble about his achievements. Phil admits to making mistakes in each session of poker and always strives to improve.
Although Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a regular basis.