Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker contender in the world by most of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to discover whatever he could about the game. Phil routinely told his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the adverse comments from other people annihilate his ambition of being one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
Phil began competing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a learning period and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated many of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his success to hard work and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He states that he is learning every single day and is very humble about his accomplishments. He admits to making errors in each game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a regular basis.
