Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker contender in the world by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His papa taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn every little thing he could about the game. He routinely told his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the negative feedback from others kill his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil began playing seriously after getting a fake 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 learning opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated many of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to discipline and an eternal love for poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is incredibly abashed about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes blunders in each game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Although Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a regular basis.