Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker contender in the world by quite a few of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to discover everything he could about the game. He routinely told his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not permit the adverse feedback from other people annihilate his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil started competing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning was not a common outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he made two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he defeated a number of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an undying passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is very humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes blunders every single session of poker and always strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a normal basis.