Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker contender on the planet by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching turning 1. His grandpa introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn anything he could about poker. He routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the adverse feedback from other people kill his ambition of being one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
He started competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a regular thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and an immeasurable passion for poker. He says that he’s learning every single day and is very abashed about his success. He knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and always strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some large tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.
