Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker contender on the globe by many of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandfather taught Phil 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. He routinely would tell his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not let the adverse feedback from other people annihilate his goal of being one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
He started playing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win was not a normal thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated a number of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal love for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. He admits to making mistakes in each session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Even though Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.