Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker contender on the globe by quite a few of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching turning 1. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wished to discover everything he could about the game. He routinely told his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t let the detrimental comments from others kill his goal of being one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
Phil started playing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated many 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 successive level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to discipline and a continuing passion for poker. He says that he’s learning every day and is incredibly humble about his success. Phil admits to making mistakes every single game of poker and always strives to improve.
Although Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a normal basis.