Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker contender in the world by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to discover everything he could about the game. He would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the detrimental feedback from others annihilate his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
Phil began playing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a learning period and coming away with a win was not a normal thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated many 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 successive level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to dedication and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes blunders every single game of poker and always strives to improve.
Although Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a normal basis.