Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker contender in the world by many of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to discover whatever he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely told his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the detrimental feedback from others kill his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
He began playing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a teaching period and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he made two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed many of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable love for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every single day and is quite humble about his success. Phil admits to making errors in each session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a regular basis.
