Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker contender on the planet by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to pickup everything he possibly could about poker. He routinely told his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He did not permit the adverse feedback from others kill his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
He started playing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a learning period and winning wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated quite a few of the better known professionals 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 Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. He says that he’s learning every day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making mistakes in each game of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a regular basis.