Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker contender in the world by quite a few of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His papa introduced him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup everything he could about the game. Phil would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not permit the negative comments from other people kill his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
He began competing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a teaching period and winning wasn’t a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated a number of the better known pros 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. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to dedication and an immeasurable love for poker. Phil states that he’s learning every day and is very humble about his success. He admits to making mistakes every single game of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a normal basis.