Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker contender on the globe by many of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to discover whatever he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the negative comments from other people annihilate his goal of being one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
He began playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a teaching period and winning was not a normal outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated a number of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal passion for poker. He states that he is learning every single day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes blunders in each session of poker and always strives to improve.
Although Ivey has won some large tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a normal basis.