Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker contender in the world by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on 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 did not permit the adverse comments from others annihilate his ambition of being one of the best poker players on the planet.
He started competing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a regular thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated a number of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game 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 best players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and an immeasurable passion for poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every single day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making mistakes in each session of poker and always strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some large tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.