Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker contender on the planet by most of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching turning one. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to learn everything he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the negative feedback from other people kill his goal of being one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
Phil started competing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a learning period and coming away with a win was not a regular thing 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, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he defeated many of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. He says that he’s learning every single day and is quite humble about his achievements. He knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a normal basis.