Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker contender in the world by quite a few of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandpa taught Phil penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup whatever he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely told his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the adverse comments from other people kill his dream of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
He began competing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a teaching experience and winning was not a normal outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated many of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. He states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes errors every single session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a normal basis.