Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker contender on the globe by most of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated 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 pickup everything he could about the game. He routinely would tell his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the adverse feedback from others kill his dream of becoming one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
Phil started playing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular thing at the time. Phil 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 event. At the closing table he defeated a number of the well known pros 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 dedication and an immeasurable passion for poker. Phil says that he is learning every day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes errors in each session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a regular basis.