Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker contender on the globe by most of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His pappa introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup anything he possibly could about poker. Phil would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the negative feedback from others destroy his ambition of becoming one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
Phil began playing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed many of the well known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and a continuing love for poker. Phil states that he’s learning every day and is incredibly humble about his success. Phil admits to making mistakes in each session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Although Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a normal basis.