Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker contender in the world by quite a few of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His papa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to learn anything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the negative comments from others destroy his ambition of becoming one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
He began playing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a learning period and winning was not a common thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he defeated many of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to dedication and a continuing love for poker. Phil states that he is learning every day and is quite humble about his success. He knows he makes blunders every single game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some large tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a normal basis.