Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker contender on the planet by many of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching turning 1. His grandpa showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup anything he could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the negative comments from other people annihilate his dream of being one of the best poker competitors in the world.
Phil began competing intently after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a teaching experience and winning was not a regular outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed many of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to dedication and an undying passion for poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every single day and is quite humble about his achievements. He knows he makes errors in each game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a normal basis.