Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker contender on the globe by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His papa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wished to pickup anything he possibly could about the game. He would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the detrimental feedback from others kill his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
Phil started competing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a teaching experience and winning was not a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated many of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an undying passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he is learning every single day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making mistakes every single session of poker and always strives to improve.
Although Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a normal basis.