Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker contender on the globe by most of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather showed him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to discover everything he could about the game. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the negative feedback from other people kill his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
He started playing intently after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved two final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he defeated a number of the better known pros including but not limited to "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 Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and a continuing love for poker. Phil says that he’s learning every day and is quite humble about his success. Phil admits to making mistakes in each game of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Although Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a normal basis.
