Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker contender on the globe by many of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to pickup whatever he could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the detrimental feedback from other people annihilate his goal of being one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
Phil started playing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he defeated a number 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 Sin City. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an eternal love for poker. He says that he’s learning every day and is very abashed about his success. Phil admits to making blunders in each session of poker and always strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a normal basis.
