Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker contender on the planet by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to learn everything he possibly could about poker. He routinely told his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the detrimental comments from other people destroy his dream of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
Phil started playing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a teaching experience and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated many of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. He states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is very humble about his achievements. Phil admits to making errors every single game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has won some large tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a normal basis.