Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker contender on the planet by many of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching turning one. His grandfather taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to discover whatever he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the detrimental feedback from other people kill his dream of becoming one of the best poker players on the planet.
He started competing intently after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. He states that he is learning every day and is quite humble about his achievements. Phil admits to making errors every single session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a normal basis.