Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker contender on the planet by most of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His papa taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup everything he could about the game. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the detrimental feedback from other people destroy his goal of being one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
Phil started playing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a learning experience and winning wasn’t a regular thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed quite a few of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an immeasurable love for poker. Phil states that he is learning every day and is quite humble about his achievements. Phil admits to making mistakes in each session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a normal basis.