Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker contender on the globe by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching the age of one. His grandfather taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to discover whatever he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the detrimental feedback from others destroy his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
He started playing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed many of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and a continuing passion for poker. Phil states that he is learning every single day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. He knows he makes mistakes in each game of poker and always strives to improve.
Even though Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a regular basis.