Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker contender on the planet by most of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to discover whatever he could about the game. He routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the detrimental feedback from others annihilate his goal of being one of the greatest poker players in the world.
Phil started competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a teaching experience and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he destroyed quite a few of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and a continuing passion for the game of poker. He states that he’s picking up skills every day and is incredibly abashed about his accomplishments. He admits to making errors in each game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Even though Ivey has won some large tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a regular basis.