Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker contender in the world by most of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandfather taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wished to learn anything he could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the adverse feedback from others destroy his goal of being one of the strongest poker players in the world.
He started competing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a teaching experience and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable love for poker. He states that he’s learning every single day and is very humble about his accomplishments. He knows he makes blunders in each session of poker and always aspires to improve.
Even though Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a normal basis.