Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker contender on the globe by most of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching turning one. His grandfather introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to learn anything he could about poker. He would tell his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the adverse comments from other people destroy his dream of becoming one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
He started playing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed many of the well 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. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to hard work and an immeasurable passion for poker. He states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his success. He knows he makes blunders in each session of poker and always aspires to improve.
Although Phil has won some big tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a normal basis.