Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker contender on the globe by most of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn whatever he could about the game. He routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the negative comments from other people destroy his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
Phil started competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated many of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to hard work and an eternal passion for poker. Phil states that he is learning every day and is very humble about his success. He knows he makes blunders every single game of poker and always strives to improve.
Although Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a normal basis.