Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker contender on the planet by most of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn everything he could about the game. He would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the detrimental comments from others destroy his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
He started playing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win was not a normal outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 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.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an undying passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is incredibly humble about his success. He knows he makes blunders every single game of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Even though Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a normal basis.