Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker contender in the world by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup whatever he could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not let the detrimental comments from other people annihilate his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
He began playing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a learning period and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated quite a few of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. He states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is very abashed about his success. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and always strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a regular basis.