Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker contender on the planet by many of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandfather showed him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup whatever he could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the negative comments from others kill his ambition of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
Phil began competing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a teaching experience and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he made two final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he destroyed quite a few of the better known pros 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 in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s learning every single day and is incredibly abashed about his success. Phil knows he makes blunders in each session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.