Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker contender on the planet by most of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His papa taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn anything he could about the game. He routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the negative comments from other people kill his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
Phil began competing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last 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 moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He says that he’s learning every single day and is quite humble about his success. Phil knows he makes blunders every single session of poker and always strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a regular basis.