Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker contender on the globe by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wished to pickup everything he possibly could about poker. He routinely would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not let the adverse feedback from others kill his ambition of being one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
He began playing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to hard work and an immeasurable love for poker. Phil says that he is learning every single day and is quite abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making blunders every single session of poker and always strives to improve.
Although Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a normal basis.