Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker contender in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandpa introduced him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to learn whatever he could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the negative comments from other people annihilate his dream of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
Phil started competing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a teaching period and coming away with a win wasn’t a common outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he destroyed many of the well known professionals including but not limited to "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 play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an undying love for poker. Phil says that he is picking up skills every day and is very humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes errors every single session of poker and always strives to get better.
Even though Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a normal basis.