Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker contender on the planet by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup every little thing he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not permit the negative feedback from others annihilate his goal of being one of the best poker competitors in the world.
He began playing intently after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated quite a few of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal love for the game of poker. He states that he’s learning every single day and is incredibly humble about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making mistakes every single session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a normal basis.