Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker contender on the planet by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandpa taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup anything he could about poker. He routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the adverse comments from others annihilate his goal of being one of the greatest poker players in the world.
Phil started playing intently after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a learning experience and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he defeated a number of the well 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 moved out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to dedication and an undying passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he is picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making mistakes every single game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Even though Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a normal basis.