Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker contender in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to discover every little thing he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He did not let the negative feedback from others kill his ambition of being one of the best poker players in the world.
Phil began playing intently after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a learning period and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal love for poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes errors in each game of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some large tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a normal basis.