Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker contender in the world by many of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to discover whatever he could about the game. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the adverse comments from other people annihilate his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
He started competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win was not a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated many of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an undying passion for the game of poker. He says that he’s learning every single day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes errors in each session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a regular basis.
