Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker contender on the planet by quite a few of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to discover anything he could about poker. He routinely would tell his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the negative feedback from others annihilate his ambition of being one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
He began playing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a common outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing 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 decided to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to dedication and an eternal passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every single day and is quite humble about his success. Phil admits to making mistakes in each session of poker and always aspires to get better.
Although Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.
