Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker contender in the world by quite a few of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn anything he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the negative comments from other people kill his goal of being one of the greatest poker players in the world.
Phil started competing intently after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a teaching experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he destroyed quite a few of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to hard work and an immeasurable love for poker. Phil says that he’s learning every day and is quite abashed about his achievements. He knows he makes blunders every single game of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Although Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a regular basis.
