Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker contender in the world by many of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to discover whatever he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely told his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the negative comments from other people annihilate his ambition of being one of the best poker competitors in the world.
He started playing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a teaching experience and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated many of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided 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 best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an eternal passion for poker. He says that he is picking up skills every day and is quite abashed about his success. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a normal basis.