Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker contender in the world by most of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to discover every little thing he could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the negative feedback from other people annihilate his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
He began playing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a learning experience and winning was not a normal thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he destroyed many of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. He says that he is learning every day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. He knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Although Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.