Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker contender on the globe by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to discover anything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the adverse comments from others destroy his goal of being one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
He began competing intently after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a regular outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he defeated many of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to hard work and an undying passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s learning every single day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. He knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and always strives to get better.
Although Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a regular basis.
