Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker contender in the world by quite a few of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to discover everything he possibly could about poker. Phil would tell his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the negative comments from others annihilate his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
Phil began competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a learning opportunity and winning was not a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to hard work and an undying love for the game of poker. Phil states that he is learning every day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes errors in each session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a normal basis.